Top 50 Startups developing AI for Robotics in USA
May 06, 2026
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22
1
Funding: $12.8M
Antioch intends to be the Cursor for physical AI - it's building simulation tools for robot developers. Its platform allows robot builders to spin up multiple digital instances of their hardware and connect them to simulated sensors that mimic the same data the robot’s software would receive in the real world. These environments allow developers to test edge cases, perform reinforcement learning, or generate new training data. The company starts with models built by Nvidia, World Labs, and others, and builds domain-specific libraries to make them easy to use.
Antioch intends to be the Cursor for physical AI - it's building simulation tools for robot developers. Its platform allows robot builders to spin up multiple digital instances of their hardware and connect them to simulated sensors that mimic the same data the robot’s software would receive in the real world. These environments allow developers to test edge cases, perform reinforcement learning, or generate new training data. The company starts with models built by Nvidia, World Labs, and others, and builds domain-specific libraries to make them easy to use.
2
Funding: $200M
Sunday is a robotics startup that builds home robots that utilize AI to assist with household tasks.
Sunday is a robotics startup that builds home robots that utilize AI to assist with household tasks.
3
Funding: $50M
RealSense develops and manufactures 3D computer vision cameras that enable humanoid robots to perceive the world similar to how humans use their eyes and depth perception. Its depth-camera supports Power over Ethernet and has built-in AI chip for image processing. The startup is an Intel spinoff and has a strategic partnership with NVIDIA (to create an AI robotic platform Jetson Thor Series). The company develops computer vision systems for robotics in various sectors, including healthcare, industrial automation and security. RealSense also partners with several companies to produce glasses for the blind, including Eyesynth.
RealSense develops and manufactures 3D computer vision cameras that enable humanoid robots to perceive the world similar to how humans use their eyes and depth perception. Its depth-camera supports Power over Ethernet and has built-in AI chip for image processing. The startup is an Intel spinoff and has a strategic partnership with NVIDIA (to create an AI robotic platform Jetson Thor Series). The company develops computer vision systems for robotics in various sectors, including healthcare, industrial automation and security. RealSense also partners with several companies to produce glasses for the blind, including Eyesynth.
4
Funding: $2B
Figure creates humanoid robots with artificial intelligence. Figure is designed for home use - it performs household tasks such as laundry, cleaning and washing dishes completely autonomously. It uses Helix - an AI engine that allows it to navigate the unpredictable, ever-changing home environment. Helix is a universal humanoid vision-language-action model that learns and improves over time, acquiring new skills. Helix controls the entire cycle: perception, movement and reasoning, both onboard and in real time (making it an AGI contender). This allows Figure 03 to independently think and complete tasks without following a script. Figure has an optimized design with high arm dexterity and a look suitable for everyday life.
Figure creates humanoid robots with artificial intelligence. Figure is designed for home use - it performs household tasks such as laundry, cleaning and washing dishes completely autonomously. It uses Helix - an AI engine that allows it to navigate the unpredictable, ever-changing home environment. Helix is a universal humanoid vision-language-action model that learns and improves over time, acquiring new skills. Helix controls the entire cycle: perception, movement and reasoning, both onboard and in real time (making it an AGI contender). This allows Figure 03 to independently think and complete tasks without following a script. Figure has an optimized design with high arm dexterity and a look suitable for everyday life.
5
Funding: $1.8B
Skild AI is developing a general-purpose physics model for robots that can be adapted to any hardware and task. Skild's brain contains a world model (making it an approach to AGI), runs on an edge platform and enables robots to perform low-level skills such as grasping, transferring and navigating in unstructured environments. Developers can create their own AI algorithms and applications on the Skild platform using an API. The company is also developing its own universal humanoid robot model. The startup has strategic partnerships with LG CNS and Hewlett Packard Enterprise to develop its ecosystem.
Skild AI is developing a general-purpose physics model for robots that can be adapted to any hardware and task. Skild's brain contains a world model (making it an approach to AGI), runs on an edge platform and enables robots to perform low-level skills such as grasping, transferring and navigating in unstructured environments. Developers can create their own AI algorithms and applications on the Skild platform using an API. The company is also developing its own universal humanoid robot model. The startup has strategic partnerships with LG CNS and Hewlett Packard Enterprise to develop its ecosystem.
6
Funding: $1.3B
Apptronik produces Apollo, a general-purpose humanoid robot suitable for use in warehouses, manufacturing facilities, in construction, oil and gas, electronics manufacturing, retail, home delivery, elderly care and many other fields. Apollo has a body shape and size similar to a human's, allowing it to navigate spatially and use our tools and equipment. This makes interaction with humans natural and enables it to perform tasks that would be difficult or impossible for other types of robots. Apollo has a modular design and can be mounted on any mobile platform, whether stationary or fully mobile with legs. Thanks to hot-swappable batteries, each rated for four hours of operation, Apollo can continue working simply by replacing the battery rather than charging it from the mains while not in use. When needed, Apollo can be connected to a charger or tethered to the mains for continuous operation.
Apptronik produces Apollo, a general-purpose humanoid robot suitable for use in warehouses, manufacturing facilities, in construction, oil and gas, electronics manufacturing, retail, home delivery, elderly care and many other fields. Apollo has a body shape and size similar to a human's, allowing it to navigate spatially and use our tools and equipment. This makes interaction with humans natural and enables it to perform tasks that would be difficult or impossible for other types of robots. Apollo has a modular design and can be mounted on any mobile platform, whether stationary or fully mobile with legs. Thanks to hot-swappable batteries, each rated for four hours of operation, Apollo can continue working simply by replacing the battery rather than charging it from the mains while not in use. When needed, Apollo can be connected to a charger or tethered to the mains for continuous operation.
7
Funding: $615M
Mind Robotics is an industrial robotics lab spun out of the electric vehicle maker Rivian and it wants to use data from Rivian’s electric vehicle factory to train industrial robots to be more dexterous and adaptable and perform physical reasoning that classical robotics cannot address. The company is building the full robotics foundation - AI models, hardware and deployment infrastructure
Mind Robotics is an industrial robotics lab spun out of the electric vehicle maker Rivian and it wants to use data from Rivian’s electric vehicle factory to train industrial robots to be more dexterous and adaptable and perform physical reasoning that classical robotics cannot address. The company is building the full robotics foundation - AI models, hardware and deployment infrastructure
8
Funding: $437M
Bright Machines creates intelligent flexible factory robots to build AI infrastructure hardware for data centers. These modular, software-defined robotics execute high-precision assembly automation with ease and flexibility. For example they can do DIMM insertion, CPU and heatsink placement, GPU integration, storage systems assembly, connector handling, etc. The robot contains end-of-arm tools and integrated material feeding and conveying systems. The company develops the proprietary operating system that runs our robotics, AI-driven software that optimizes product design for automated assembly and Data Hub that manages rich production data our automation systems, with capabilities including secure data collection, transport, governance, storage and retrieval.
Bright Machines creates intelligent flexible factory robots to build AI infrastructure hardware for data centers. These modular, software-defined robotics execute high-precision assembly automation with ease and flexibility. For example they can do DIMM insertion, CPU and heatsink placement, GPU integration, storage systems assembly, connector handling, etc. The robot contains end-of-arm tools and integrated material feeding and conveying systems. The company develops the proprietary operating system that runs our robotics, AI-driven software that optimizes product design for automated assembly and Data Hub that manages rich production data our automation systems, with capabilities including secure data collection, transport, governance, storage and retrieval.
9
Funding: $416M
Locus Robotics is a warehouse robotics company that manufactures autonomous, mobile robots to support e-commerce.
Locus Robotics is a warehouse robotics company that manufactures autonomous, mobile robots to support e-commerce.
10
Funding: $411.3M
Robotic Research develops autonomy and robotic technology to improve the safety, security, and effectiveness of transportation.
Robotic Research develops autonomy and robotic technology to improve the safety, security, and effectiveness of transportation.
12
Funding: $291.2M
Dexterity provides dexterous robotic systems for logistics and supply chains, which allow customers to unlock the maximum value of their workforce by automating repetitive pick-pack tasks.
Dexterity provides dexterous robotic systems for logistics and supply chains, which allow customers to unlock the maximum value of their workforce by automating repetitive pick-pack tasks.
14
Funding: $271M
Path Robotics is focused on robotic welding. The system uses scanning, computer vision and AI to adjust itself to different parts, understanding that sizing parts is a kind of imperfect science.
Path Robotics is focused on robotic welding. The system uses scanning, computer vision and AI to adjust itself to different parts, understanding that sizing parts is a kind of imperfect science.
15
Funding: $266.1M
AMP Robotics creates robotic systems that sort recyclable material at a fraction of the cost of current technology.
AMP Robotics creates robotic systems that sort recyclable material at a fraction of the cost of current technology.
16
Funding: $222M
Covariant is building universal AI that allows robots to see, reason and act on the world around
Covariant is building universal AI that allows robots to see, reason and act on the world around
17
Funding: $221M
Reimagining fulfillment with intelligent robots that can pick and pack anything.
Reimagining fulfillment with intelligent robots that can pick and pack anything.
18
Funding: $214M
Serve is the future of sustainable, self-driving delivery. Our robots serve people in public spaces, starting with food delivery.
Serve is the future of sustainable, self-driving delivery. Our robots serve people in public spaces, starting with food delivery.
19
Funding: $193M
Brain Corp develops AI Platform for Self-Driving Robots. With delivery, healthcare, security, and personal service robots powered by BrainOS, organizations can improve life at work, at home, and at play.
Brain Corp develops AI Platform for Self-Driving Robots. With delivery, healthcare, security, and personal service robots powered by BrainOS, organizations can improve life at work, at home, and at play.
20
Funding: $183M
Vecna Robotics offers Automated Material Handling, Hybrid Fulfillment, and Workflow Optimization solutions.
Vecna Robotics offers Automated Material Handling, Hybrid Fulfillment, and Workflow Optimization solutions.
22
Funding: $163.9M
Carbon Robotics creates agricultural robot LaserWeeder, which recognizes weeds using computer vision and destroys them with a laser. The robot is mounted on a combine harvester and receives information from a camera system. The company has developed an artificial intelligence model - Large Plant Model (LPM), which allows farmers to identify and destroy new weeds without reprogramming/retraining robots. LPM was trained on over 150 million photos and data collected by the company's machines on more than 100 farms in 15 countries where the robots are currently operating. This model now forms the basis of Carbon AI, the artificial intelligence system that serves as the "brain" of the company's autonomous weed-killing robots. Carbon Robotics has also created its own autonomous tractor - LaserWeeder.
Carbon Robotics creates agricultural robot LaserWeeder, which recognizes weeds using computer vision and destroys them with a laser. The robot is mounted on a combine harvester and receives information from a camera system. The company has developed an artificial intelligence model - Large Plant Model (LPM), which allows farmers to identify and destroy new weeds without reprogramming/retraining robots. LPM was trained on over 150 million photos and data collected by the company's machines on more than 100 farms in 15 countries where the robots are currently operating. This model now forms the basis of Carbon AI, the artificial intelligence system that serves as the "brain" of the company's autonomous weed-killing robots. Carbon Robotics has also created its own autonomous tractor - LaserWeeder.
23
Funding: $149.5M
Rethink Robotics helps manufacturers meet the challenges of an agile economy with an integrated workforce, combining trainable, safe and cost-effective robots with skilled labor. Its Baxter robot, driven by Intera, an advanced software platform, gives world-class manufacturers and distributors in automotive, plastics, consumer goods, electronics and more, a workforce multiplier that optimizes labor.
Rethink Robotics helps manufacturers meet the challenges of an agile economy with an integrated workforce, combining trainable, safe and cost-effective robots with skilled labor. Its Baxter robot, driven by Intera, an advanced software platform, gives world-class manufacturers and distributors in automotive, plastics, consumer goods, electronics and more, a workforce multiplier that optimizes labor.
24
Funding: $140M
Collaborative Robotics is a team of innovators and builders redefining the future of human-robot interaction.
Collaborative Robotics is a team of innovators and builders redefining the future of human-robot interaction.
25
Funding: $122M
Vicarious is developing artificial general intelligence for robots. By combining insights from generative probabilistic models and systems neuroscience, our architecture trains faster, adapts more readily, and generalizes more broadly than AI approaches commonly used today.
Vicarious is developing artificial general intelligence for robots. By combining insights from generative probabilistic models and systems neuroscience, our architecture trains faster, adapts more readily, and generalizes more broadly than AI approaches commonly used today.
26
Funding: $121.5M
A last-mile delivery service that deploys human-operated sidewalk robots to transport goods from merchants to their customers
A last-mile delivery service that deploys human-operated sidewalk robots to transport goods from merchants to their customers
27
Funding: $118.2M
Realtime Robotics developer of specialized processor for generating safe robot motion plans in micro-seconds.
Realtime Robotics developer of specialized processor for generating safe robot motion plans in micro-seconds.
28
Funding: $112M
Built Robotics is an industrial automation company that designs to make autonomous construction equipment.
Built Robotics is an industrial automation company that designs to make autonomous construction equipment.
30
Funding: $100.4M
Activ Surgical is building a hardware-agnostic platform to enable autonomous and collaborative surgery through the integration of computer vision, artificial intelligence and robotics.
Activ Surgical is building a hardware-agnostic platform to enable autonomous and collaborative surgery through the integration of computer vision, artificial intelligence and robotics.
31
Funding: $97.6M
Bossa Nova produces robots for retail stores. They scan shelves to help employees with restocking, keep track of where items are located, so you can find your favorite items at any time.
Bossa Nova produces robots for retail stores. They scan shelves to help employees with restocking, keep track of where items are located, so you can find your favorite items at any time.
33
Funding: $93.6M
Scythe Robotics is revolutionizing how we take care of the outdoors.
Scythe Robotics is revolutionizing how we take care of the outdoors.
34
Funding: $94M
Fetch Robotics provides the market’s only cloud-driven Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) solution for warehousing intralogistics environments.
Fetch Robotics provides the market’s only cloud-driven Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) solution for warehousing intralogistics environments.
35
Funding: $86M
Soft Robotics opens new markets to automation through the application and commercialization of its proprietary soft robotics technology. It develops 3D vision and artificial intelligence technology for soft grasping
Soft Robotics opens new markets to automation through the application and commercialization of its proprietary soft robotics technology. It develops 3D vision and artificial intelligence technology for soft grasping
36
Funding: $77.4M
Embodied is a robotics and AI company developing state-of-the-art companion robots that aim to revolutionize care and wellness, enhancing quality of life for individuals and families.
Embodied is a robotics and AI company developing state-of-the-art companion robots that aim to revolutionize care and wellness, enhancing quality of life for individuals and families.
38
Funding: $68.7M
Dusty Robotics develops robot-powered tools for the modern construction workforce.
Dusty Robotics develops robot-powered tools for the modern construction workforce.
39
Funding: $65.6M
Chef Robotics is a robotics and artificial intelligence company serving the food industry.
Chef Robotics is a robotics and artificial intelligence company serving the food industry.
40
Funding: $65.1M
At Ambi Robotics, adaptable AI meets robotic dexterity to build the supply chain’s most valued systems
At Ambi Robotics, adaptable AI meets robotic dexterity to build the supply chain’s most valued systems
41
Funding: $63M
Medra AI is developing a robotic platform for scientific experiments - so-called "physical AI for scientists." The one-hand robot with multi-modal reasoning autonomously conducts laboratory experiments from start to finish. The company claims that it can use the same tools that scientists already use (meaning no need to purchase specialized lab equipment) and that researchers can instruct the robot via natural language prompts. The company also offers scientific AI that reads and interprets experimental results. In collaboration with pharmaceutical giant Genentech (which is also a major investor) Medra is developing new drugs
Medra AI is developing a robotic platform for scientific experiments - so-called "physical AI for scientists." The one-hand robot with multi-modal reasoning autonomously conducts laboratory experiments from start to finish. The company claims that it can use the same tools that scientists already use (meaning no need to purchase specialized lab equipment) and that researchers can instruct the robot via natural language prompts. The company also offers scientific AI that reads and interprets experimental results. In collaboration with pharmaceutical giant Genentech (which is also a major investor) Medra is developing new drugs
42
Funding: $62M
Roboteam is a provider of designs, develops, and manufactures unmanned platforms. It is a throwable robotic platform with detection and tactical surveillance capabilities.
Roboteam is a provider of designs, develops, and manufactures unmanned platforms. It is a throwable robotic platform with detection and tactical surveillance capabilities.
43
Funding: $56.9M
FORT Robotics is a safety and security platform designed to secure autonomous machines from cybersecurity attacks.
FORT Robotics is a safety and security platform designed to secure autonomous machines from cybersecurity attacks.
45
Funding: $54.2M
Rapid Robotics automates common machine operator tasks to help manufacturers solve labor shortages, scale their business and outbid competitors.
Rapid Robotics automates common machine operator tasks to help manufacturers solve labor shortages, scale their business and outbid competitors.
46
Funding: $53.3M
Cobalt builds indoor robots that work alongside human guards to provide security.
Cobalt builds indoor robots that work alongside human guards to provide security.
47
Funding: $52.5M
Pickle Robot builds autonomous parcel handling robots for brownfield facilities that palletize, depalletize, sort, and singulate.
Pickle Robot builds autonomous parcel handling robots for brownfield facilities that palletize, depalletize, sort, and singulate.
48
Funding: $48.3M
Machina Labs is a mechanical & industrial engineering & manufacturing firm that unlocks manufacturing through AI & machine learning.
Machina Labs is a mechanical & industrial engineering & manufacturing firm that unlocks manufacturing through AI & machine learning.
49
Funding: $43M
Robotics company creating a new class of tool for the skilled construction worker.
Robotics company creating a new class of tool for the skilled construction worker.
50
Funding: $42.5M
Robust.AI intends to build the world’s first industrial-grade cognitive engine for robots
Robust.AI intends to build the world’s first industrial-grade cognitive engine for robots
