Insider Brief
- MassRobotics launched the second cohort of its Physical AI Fellowship, a virtual program supported by AWS Startups and NVIDIA Inception aimed at helping robotics startups develop and scale AI systems for real-world machines.
- The 2026 cohort includes Burro, Config, Deltia.ai, Haply Robotics, Luminous Robotics, Roboto AI, Telexistence, Terra Robotics and WIRobotics, spanning sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, solar energy, retail automation and robotics data infrastructure.
- MassRobotics said the program provides technical guidance, cloud computing resources, AI development tools and industry connections to help startups move from prototype development to commercial deployment while connecting them with potential enterprise customers and investors.
MassRobotics has launched the second cohort of its Physical AI Fellowship, a virtual program designed to help robotics startups develop and scale artificial intelligence systems for real-world machines.
The program, supported by Amazon Web Services Startups and Nvidia Inception, brings together nine startups working across sectors including agriculture, construction, renewable energy, industrial automation, logistics and robotics infrastructure. MassRobotics said the initiative builds on the inaugural cohort launched in late 2025 and is intended to support companies developing physical AI technologies.
The 2026 Cohort
- Burro: Burro builds autonomous robots that assist workers by handling repetitive tasks in agriculture and industrial environments to improve productivity and address labor shortages.
- Config: Config develops data infrastructure and foundation models that enable robots to perform real-world manipulation tasks and adapt quickly to new applications.
- Deltia.ai: Deltia.ai uses AI to analyze shop-floor camera data to identify inefficiencies and improve productivity in manufacturing operations.
- Haply Robotics: Haply Robotics‘ develops technology that captures human touch, motion and force to generate data used to train and control robotic systems.
- Luminous Robotics: Luminous Robotics builds robotic systems that automate the installation of solar panels to speed deployment of large-scale solar energy projects.
- Roboto AI: Roboto AI provides analytics tools that process and analyze robotics data to help teams identify edge cases and improve system reliability.
- Telexistence: Telexistence develops autonomous retail robots and humanoid systems designed to automate store operations using advanced AI models.
- Terra Robotics: Terra Robotics is developing a tractor-mounted laser weeding system designed to reduce reliance on manual labor and chemical herbicides in farming.
- WIRobotics: WIRobotics builds humanoid robotic platforms with advanced actuation and dexterity designed for industrial, service and research applications.
According to the organization, the fellowship provides technical guidance, computing resources and industry connections aimed at helping robotics startups move from prototype development to commercial deployment. MassRobotics said companies in the program receive engineering support from AWS scientists and developers along with access to cloud computing credits and artificial intelligence services.
The program also provides support through Nvidia’s Inception startup initiative, including access to AI development tools, robotics frameworks and training resources. According to MassRobotics, the program is designed to help startups build and test physical AI systems while connecting them with potential enterprise customers and investors.
MassRobotics said the fellowship reflects growing interest in physical AI, a category of artificial intelligence focused on enabling machines to operate autonomously in real-world environments. The organization said demand for these technologies is increasing as companies seek to deploy robots across sectors such as manufacturing, logistics and infrastructure.
Startups in the fellowship will also have access to MassRobotics’ facilities and robotics development ecosystem for prototyping and testing. The organization said participants will have opportunities to present their technologies at industry events and connect with customers and partners through the broader MassRobotics network.
MassRobotics said the fellowship cohort is expected to be featured at the Robotics Summit & Expo in Boston in May 2026, where participating companies will demonstrate their technologies to industry stakeholders.
