Boston Startups to Watch in Robotics

Boston doesn’t just build robots - it builds entire industries. From ocean-cleaning fleets to surgical intelligence, solar-farm builders, soft-material manipulators and AI-powered science factories, the region’s robotics talent is rewriting what machines can do. With founders spinning out of MIT, MassRobotics, Harvard, Northeastern, Greentown Labs and some of the world’s top research labs, Boston has become the place where advanced automation leaves the prototype stage and starts solving real-world problems at scale.

As we head into 2026, the momentum is unmistakable. Robotics startups here aren’t just raising - they’re hiring, piloting, commercializing and expanding across continents. They’re electrifying heavy machinery, accelerating scientific discovery, transforming agriculture, decarbonizing shipping and pushing the boundaries of sustainable flight. Below, you’ll find the companies leading that charge - the robotics teams turning breakthrough research into industry-defining impact and proving once again why Boston remains the global epicenter of hard-tech innovation.

INDUSTRIAL & LOGISTICS ROBOTICS

RISE Robotics

Founded: 2011 | Website 

RISE Robotics is reinventing hydraulics with its fluid-free Beltdraulic™ actuators, delivering cleaner and more efficient motion for heavy machinery and marine systems. The company announced a major partnership with iNav4U to integrate electrified actuation into the Zora operating system for next-generation yacht autopilots. With its fundraise oversubscribed and now surpassing $4M, RISE continues to accelerate industrial electrification.

Milestones: iNav4U partnership; oversubscribed community round exceeding $4M.

Pickle Robot Company

Founded: 2018 | Website 

Pickle Robot builds AI-powered robotic systems that automate parcel handling — one of logistics’ hardest automation problems. The team was named a 2025 BostInno Fire Award honoree and recognized by The Information as the Top Robotics Startup of 2025. With expanding deployments, Pickle continues to cement its leadership in warehouse robotics.

Milestones: Fire Award win; Top Robotics Startup ranking 

SIMPL Automation

Founded: 2023 | Website 

SIMPL Automation develops modular robotic systems designed for rapid deployment in factories and warehouses. They were nominated for Bot of the Year (BOTY) and invited to speak at the World Economic Forum during a MassRobotics session. Their innovation in scalable automation places them among Boston’s most promising emerging robotics companies.

Milestones: BOTY nomination; WEF presentation at MassRobotics.

Ubiros

Founded: 2018 | Website 

Ubiros builds soft robotic grippers that enable industrial robots to handle fragile, irregular, or delicate objects with human-like dexterity. Their technology opens automation opportunities across packaging, food handling, medical devices, and CPG manufacturing. As industries push for flexible automation, Ubiros’ soft-robotics platform is scaling rapidly.

Milestones: Growth of soft-gripper deployments across food & manufacturing.

CLIMATE & ENERGY ROBOTICS

Luminous

Founded: 2023 | Website 

Luminous automates utility-scale solar construction with LUMI, a robot that installs solar panels at high speed and precision. The company expanded from five to 25+ employees and successfully completed its InnovateMass pilot with Nexamp on a 7.3MW project powering ~1,500 homes. 

Milestones: Completed InnovateMass pilot; major hiring growth; Luminous gets funding to bring LUMI solar construction robot to Australia

Hera Materials

Founded: 2020 | Website 

Hera Materials uses robotics and advanced manufacturing to create sustainable paper-based films as alternatives to plastics. The startup was awarded M2I2 funding from the Healey-Driscoll Administration to build the first electrified paper-film production line in Massachusetts. With strong support from MassTech, Hera is reshoring sustainable materials manufacturing.

Milestones: Awarded M2I2 manufacturing grant 

Fleet Robotics

Founded: 2022 | Website

Fleet Robotics builds resident autonomous robots that clean and inspect ship hulls, cutting maritime emissions and dramatically improving fuel efficiency. They were selected into the Elemental Impact portfolio, joining the nation’s most respected climate-tech accelerator. With new funding and partnerships, Fleet is preparing for large-scale maritime deployment.

Milestones: Joined Elemental Impact portfolio 

CRABI Robotics 

Founded: 2023 | Website

CRABI Robotics develops autonomous hull-cleaning systems that operate while ships are in transit — a major breakthrough in vessel efficiency. They secured investment and a pilot partnership with C Transport Maritime S.A.M., enabling live ocean demonstrations. With potential to save $26B in annual fuel costs and offset emissions equivalent to NYC’s footprint, CRABI is scaling quickly.

Milestones: CTM investment & pilot 

AEROSPACE & ADVANCED FLIGHT ROBOTICS

MagLev Aero

Founded: 2018 | Website

MagLev Aero is pioneering hybrid-electric propulsion systems designed for quieter, more efficient personal aircraft. They were selected by NASA for a Phase I SBIR contract to develop HYDRATE, a zero-emission direct-drive turbofan. With academic partnerships and strong momentum, MagLev is helping define the future of sustainable aviation.

Milestones: NASA SBIR award 

DEFENSE, NATIONAL SECURITY & ADVANCED MANUFACTURING ROBOTICS

Endox

Founded: 2025 | Website 

Endox builds AI-powered robotics platforms to re-shore manufacturing, strengthen defense capabilities, and automate critical industries. Their explosive year included acceptance into Palantir’s Builders Program, NVIDIA Inception, MassChallenge, Plug and Play, DIU’s Defense Tech Accelerator, TechCrunch Battlefield 200, and more. With a U.S. Army pilot and a $250K SBIR award, Endox is one of Boston’s fastest-rising national security robotics startups.

Milestones: Participated in Palantir Builders Program, NVIDIA Inception, MC cohort, DIU accelerator; SBIR Phase I; Army pilot 

HEALTH & CARE ROBOTICS

Activ Surgical

Founded: 2017 | Website 

Activ Surgical delivers AI-driven imaging systems that give surgeons real-time intelligence during procedures, improving safety and reducing complications. They were named to TIME’s inaugural list of the World’s Top HealthTech Companies, a major milestone for the Boston med-tech ecosystem. Activ continues to expand globally as robotic and augmented surgery mature.

Milestones: Featured on TIME’s World’s Top HealthTech Companies list

ReviMo

Founded: 2022 | Website 

ReviMo builds robotics and monitoring tools that support independence and dignity for older adults while assisting care teams. They were featured as a top disruptive startup at LeadingAge and recognized by Poets & Quants as one of the most innovative MBA-founded companies. As aging-tech accelerates nationwide, ReviMo represents a human-centered approach to robotics.

Milestones: Poets & Quants recognition 

AGTECH & FOOD-SYSTEM ROBOTICS

Zordi

Founded: 2020 | Website 

Zordi builds AI-powered agricultural robots capable of autonomously managing crops inside high-density greenhouses. The company recently added YANMAR Ventures to its already world-class investor base, which includes Khosla Ventures, Shinhan Ventures, and DSC Investment. Under CEO Gilwoo Lee, Zordi is pushing robotics-driven agriculture into commercial scale.

Milestones: Investment from YANMAR Ventures 

SCIENCE, BIO, & LAB AUTOMATION ROBOTICS

Whelix 

Founded: 2025 | Website 

Whelix builds intelligent robotic systems that automate repetitive lab workflows, increasing research speed and reproducibility. The company secured a $1M pre-seed investment led by Draper Associates, fueling expansion of its early products. With a team focused on life-science automation, Whelix is emerging as a breakout in Boston’s biotech robotics scene.

Milestones: $1M pre-seed round from Draper Associates 

Lila Sciences 

Founded: 2023 | Website 

Lila is building AI-powered Science Factories — fully automated labs where robotics and AI accelerate discovery across disciplines. Recognized as a LinkedIn Top Startup, the company has raised a staggering $550M since inception to scale its scientific superintelligence platform. With rapid team growth and customer expansion, Lila is one of Boston’s most ambitious deep-tech plays.

Milestones: Closed Series A; $550M total funding; LinkedIn Top Startups ranking 

Conclusion

Boston’s robotics ecosystem is entering a defining era - one marked by cross-industry impact, global scale and unprecedented technological ambition. From climate tech to healthcare, national security, agriculture and advanced manufacturing, the companies above reflect the breadth and strength of New England innovation. 

As these startups continue to scale into 2026, they’re shaping the next decade of robotics - and reinforcing Boston’s position as the global epicenter of automation.