The Robot Report tracks startups throughout the year, and our second annual Startup Radar spotlights some of the most interesting new companies developing commercial robotics and related technologies. From industrial automation and drones to humanoid robots, 2026 has been a year of innovation in the face of persistent labor shortages and geopolitical challenges.

To qualify, organizations must be no more than five years old and must be working on enabling technologies, new full systems, or novel bus

iness approaches. The free download notes their application, headcount, and total funding raised to date.

This year, we received a significant number of submissions around software, which is no surprise given the recent wave of interest and investment in data, simulation, and next-generation AI models. They promise to make robots more autonomous, combining the ability to perceive, understand, act, and improve.

The 2026 Startup Radar features 60 companies working to serve a range of industries, from manufacturing and supply chain/warehousing to agriculture, defense, healthcare, and more. They are based in more than a dozen countries, and several have already successfully raised millions of dollars.

What makes a successful robotics, automation, and AI startup? Such companies offer a strong technical foundation, teams with vision and experience, some business savvy, and key partnerships with industry stakeholders. While not every startup will scale or have an exit or an acquisition, understanding the target market is a key first step.

The Robot Report will continue to cover and share financial news and success stories from this competitive space.

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