Bengaluru-based home services startup Pronto is piloting an in-home AI recording program that involves workers carrying cameras during jobs to collect footage for training physical AI and robotics systems, according to medianama.com. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is investigating the initiative following reports about the practice.
Pronto’s pilot program equips workers with small outward-facing cameras to capture real-world household data while performing services. Customers opt in at the time of booking and receive the footage afterward. An internal memo from investor Glade Brook Capital revealed that Pronto aims to formalize India’s informal labor markets while generating data to support AI and robotics development. The memo also noted early interest from leading physical AI labs and said the company is moving quickly to commercialize this data-driven strategy.
This development highlights a growing trend in leveraging informal labor for AI training data, with competitors like Snabbit also engaging in similar discussions, as confirmed by a mutual NDA with robotics data startup Human Archive. The pilot underscores the increasing intersection of home services and AI, raising questions about data privacy and regulatory oversight, which MeitY is currently examining.
Looking ahead, Pronto plans to expand its partnerships with AI labs and accelerate commercialization of its data business. The government’s review of the pilot could influence regulatory frameworks for data collection in informal sectors, shaping how startups balance innovation with privacy safeguards in India’s evolving AI landscape.