10 Robotics Startups Drawing Major Investor Attention in 2026

Robotics has emerged as one of the hottest investment areas in the technology sector in 2026, as artificial intelligence moves beyond screens and begins interacting with the physical world.

Startups developing robots and so-called “physical AI” raised a record $16.3 billion across 492 deals during the first quarter of 2026, according to PitchBook data cited by Business Insider. Falling hardware costs, labour shortages and growing demand for domestic manufacturing have helped accelerate investor interest.

The companies attracting attention are not limited to humanoid robots. Investors are also backing robotic systems for warehouses, factories, laboratories, agriculture, infrastructure inspection and household work.

Here are 10 promising robotics startups investors are watching closely in 2026.

1. Skild AI

Skild AI is building a general-purpose intelligence system designed to control different types of machines, including humanoids, robotic arms, quadrupeds and mobile robots.

Rather than programming every robot separately, Skild aims to create an adaptable AI model capable of learning new tasks across multiple machines and environments.

The company’s technology is already being used across security, construction, manufacturing and warehouse operations. It is also working with Nvidia and Foxconn to automate production-line tasks associated with Nvidia’s Blackwell chips.

With approximately $2.2 billion in total funding, Skild AI represents one of the biggest investor bets on creating a universal “brain” for robots.

2. FieldAI

Founded in 2023, FieldAI is developing AI software that allows different robots to operate autonomously in complex and unpredictable surroundings.

Its system is designed to assess risks and respond to unfamiliar situations without requiring extensive training for every new task. That could make the technology valuable in construction sites, data centres, defence operations and other environments where conditions change frequently.

FieldAI has raised approximately $405 million and reportedly works with more than 30 customers. The company has also recruited employees with experience at Google DeepMind, Waymo, Tesla, Nvidia, Boston Dynamics and Amazon.

3. Generalist

Generalist is another startup attempting to develop AI that works across multiple robotic platforms.

The company was founded by former Google DeepMind and Boston Dynamics researchers. Its technology is being trained using thousands of low-cost robotic grippers distributed around the world, helping the startup collect large volumes of physical interaction data.

Generalist says it has collected more than 500,000 hours of training data. Its robots are being developed for tasks ranging from folding laundry to packing consumer electronics.

The company has secured around $540 million in funding, reflecting investor confidence in its data-driven approach to general-purpose robotics.

4. Dexterity

Dexterity develops AI-powered industrial robots for demanding warehouse and logistics operations.

Its flagship system, known as Mech, uses large robotic arms to perform tasks such as loading trucks and stacking packages. An AI model called Foresight calculates how boxes should be arranged inside trailers in real time.

Dexterity’s systems have already moved beyond laboratory demonstrations. FedEx expanded the deployment of its robots at a Maryland logistics hub following several years of testing.

The startup has raised approximately $295 million and is positioning itself as a major provider of intelligent automation for high-volume logistics environments.

5. Gecko Robotics

Gecko Robotics builds wall-climbing robots capable of inspecting power plants, pipelines, ships and other critical infrastructure.

These machines collect data from areas that can be difficult or dangerous for human inspectors to access. Gecko’s accompanying AI software helps customers analyse the information and identify potential maintenance requirements.

The company secured a five-year contract worth up to $71 million involving the US Navy and General Services Administration. The programme began with inspections of 18 ships belonging to the US Pacific Fleet.

With roughly $347 million in funding, Gecko demonstrates how specialised robots can create significant value by improving industrial safety and maintenance.

6. GrayMatter Robotics

GrayMatter Robotics focuses on automating industrial surface-finishing work, including sanding, grinding, coating and blasting.

Conventional industrial robots often need to be reprogrammed whenever the size, material or condition of a component changes. GrayMatter’s machines scan each item and automatically adjust their movements.

The company says its systems have produced more than seven petabytes of manufacturing data. Its customers include Boeing, Lockheed Martin and the US Air Force.

GrayMatter has raised approximately $86 million and is contributing to a broader push to automate labour-intensive manufacturing processes.

7. Cobot

Cobot builds Proxie, a mobile robot designed to work alongside people in hospitals, factories and logistics facilities.

Proxie can move carts and materials around workplaces, reducing the amount of repetitive physical work performed by employees. A newer version features two arms and can assist with carrying and restocking items.

The startup is led by Brad Porter, a former Amazon Robotics executive and former chief technology officer of Scale AI. Its first-generation machines reportedly completed nearly 13,000 working hours and transported more than 154,000 carts.

Cobot has raised about $160 million and counts organisations such as Mayo Clinic and Maersk among its customers.

8. Sunday Robotics

Sunday Robotics is developing Memo, a wheeled household robot created to handle routine domestic chores.

The company says Memo can fold laundry in unfamiliar homes and is being trained to perform additional tasks such as vacuuming, organising toys and making coffee.

Household robotics remains one of the industry’s most technically difficult markets. Homes are less structured than factories, and robots must safely adapt to different objects, layouts and people.

Sunday Robotics has raised approximately $200 million and plans to test Memo through a residential beta programme. Its progress could indicate whether multipurpose home robots are moving closer to commercial reality.

9. Walden Robotics

Walden Robotics develops general-purpose machines for factories and warehouses.

Instead of giving its robots human-like legs, Walden uses wheels to improve stability, increase safety and provide more space for batteries and computing equipment. The robots are designed for repetitive jobs such as cleaning machinery, moving automotive components and preparing parts for assembly.

The company was spun out of the Toyota Research Institute and is led by longtime MIT roboticist Russ Tedrake.

Walden has raised approximately $300 million. Its machines reportedly began completing eight-hour customer shifts within months of the company’s launch, making early commercial traction one of its strongest advantages.

10. Zipline

Zipline operates autonomous drones that transport medical supplies, food and retail products.

The company first gained global attention by delivering blood and healthcare products in Rwanda. It is now expanding its operations across the United States and moving further into commercial home delivery.

Zipline said the number of businesses offering deliveries through its service increased thirteenfold during the first half of 2026. It has also recruited executives with experience at Tesla, Waymo and Uber to support its expansion.

Having raised around $2 billion, Zipline is more established than many companies on this list. However, its rapid growth shows that robotics startups can move from experimental technology to real-world infrastructure.

Physical AI Becomes Silicon Valley’s Next Big Bet

The growing excitement around robotics reflects a broader shift in artificial intelligence investment.

The first phase of the generative AI boom was dominated by chatbots, software tools and large language models. Investors are now searching for companies capable of applying similar intelligence to machines that can move, inspect, manufacture, deliver and interact with real environments.

The opportunity is significant, but so are the challenges. Developing reliable robots requires expensive hardware, high-quality training data, advanced software and extensive real-world testing. Humanoid and household robots, in particular, may still require years of development before reaching widespread commercial adoption.

Nevertheless, startups already solving clearly defined problems—in warehouses, laboratories, factories, farms and infrastructure—could have the most immediate opportunities.

The robotics race in 2026 is therefore about more than building machines that resemble humans. It is about connecting AI intelligence with practical hardware and proving that robots can deliver measurable value outside controlled demonstrations.

Disclaimer: Funding totals and company information are based on publicly reported figures available in August 2026 and may change over time. This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice.