Robotics is the cohort's hardware bet: 51 of the 513 startups in our database build robots or the embodied AI that runs them. They are also the most American group in the data: 47 of the 51 list a United States headquarters. This page lists twenty to watch and counts where the rest came from.

1. Twenty robotics startups from the list

Newest batch first, each linked to its company page with founders and story.

CompanyWhat it doesBatchHQ
Applied KineticsAI-native manufacturing for data center and energy projectsYC Fall 2026San Francisco, CA, USA
Archgen LabsAI-powered EDA tools for faster, cooler 3D chipsYC Fall 2026San Francisco, CA, USA
AsimEnable robots to operate safely in the real world.YC Fall 2026San Francisco, CA, USA
Degla IncThe fully autonomous intelligence layer in the sky.YC Fall 2026San Francisco, CA, USA
Dreamscale LabsReal-time cloud inference for robotics.YC Fall 2026San Francisco, CA, USA
Evident MachinesBenchmarks and RL environments for electrical engineeringYC Fall 2026San Francisco, CA, USA
horizontal.AI agents that run factory operations end-to-end.YC Fall 2026San Francisco, CA, USA
Hundred100% automated inspection for precision hardware partsYC Fall 2026San Francisco, CA, USA
MantleThe pit crew for machines and robots.YC Fall 2026San Francisco, CA, USA
Polemos IndustriesAI-guided ballistic missiles, built for mass manufacturingYC Fall 2026San Francisco, CA, USA
PreloadSensorimotor context for physical AIYC Fall 2026San Francisco, CA, USA
PrimordiantEmbodied Scientific IntelligenceYC Fall 2026San Francisco, CA, USA
RisklyticsAI-Native Insurance for Frontier TechYC Fall 2026San Francisco, CA, USA
Rodeo RoboticsRobots for vehicle maintenance.YC Fall 2026San Francisco, CA, USA
Runtime.siRobots that think in simulationYC Fall 2026San Francisco, CA, USA
Shepherd RoboticsRobots for high skilled labor powering AI infrastructureYC Fall 2026San Francisco, CA, USA
UXDuckBuild better drones. Run better missions.YC Fall 2026San Francisco, CA, USA
DaqstraAI-native test infrastructure layer for hardware companiesYC Summer 2026San Francisco, CA, USA
DatoricThe training data R&D engine for physical AIYC Summer 2026San Francisco, CA, USA
Dawn IndustriesAutomatic Diagnosis & Fix for Industrial Automation CellsYC Summer 2026San Francisco, CA, USA

2. A summer heavy cohort

Summer 2026 is the robotics batch: 23 of the 51 companies, with Fall adding 17, Spring 6 and Winter 5. The work clusters where labour is scarce and the environment is structured: warehouses, farms, factories, labs and construction. Software only startups can pivot in a week; these companies ordered hardware, which makes their batch choices a stronger signal of where investors think embodied AI is ready.

3. Reading robotics listings

The one line descriptions separate the field fast: some sell a robot, some sell the picking, inspection or monitoring outcome, and some sell the software layer other robots run on. The full 51 are on the robotics category page.

3. Software brains, hardware bodies

Split the 51 by what ships. Some companies ship a machine: a robot for a warehouse aisle, a field, a kitchen, a lab bench. Some ship the brain: perception, planning and control software that other people's machines run. And some ship the service around both: monitoring, teleoperation and maintenance. The business models differ completely, and the one line descriptions usually tell you which one you are looking at within ten words.

On each company page, check three things: the batch (robotics vintages matter, because the hardware improves), the headquarters (47 of 51 are US based, so supply chains are short but talent markets are tight), and whether the description names a customer environment. A robot for a named environment is a product; a robot for everywhere is a demo.

Finally, a note on the four non US listings: the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia and Germany contribute one company each. Small numbers, but they are the listings to watch if you follow robotics outside the Bay Area supply chain.

Source: AIToolGuide 2026 startups database (513 AI companies), compiled from Y Combinator 2026 batch listings and the TrustMRR and Indie Hackers marketplaces.