World Economic Forum Honors Hello Robot as 2026 Tech Pioneer for Physical AI Innovation

The World Economic Forum has named Hello Robot Inc. as a 2026 Technology Pioneer, recognizing the company's contributions to physical AI and assistive robotics through its Stretch mobile manipulation platform. The Geneva-based international organization annually selects 100 early-stage companies whose innovations transform businesses and address critical global human needs.

Founded in 2017 by Aaron Edsinger and Charlie Kemp, who bring over 50 years of combined robotics expertise from MIT, Google, and Georgia Tech, Hello Robot develops practical, safe, and accessible robotic systems. Its flagship Stretch robot is an open-source mobile manipulator engineered to operate close to people in homes, workplaces, and care environments.

Verena Kuhn, Head of Innovator Communities at the World Economic Forum, stated:

“There has never been a more exciting time to push the boundaries of what technology can do for humanity. Some of the most meaningful innovations are those built around people. As the Technology Pioneers program celebrates its 26th year, we continue to champion start-ups that don't just advance what's technically possible, but direct that capability toward the world's most urgent human needs.”

Hello Robot has deployed Stretch across hundreds of research institutions, academic centers, and corporate locations. The company has also piloted the platform with individuals experiencing severe mobility impairments, including quadriplegia. Users can control the system through a mobile phone app to perform essential daily tasks like fetching a drink of water, feeding themselves, and closing window blinds, which provides a profound increase in personal independence.

Aaron Edsinger, Co-founder and CEO of Hello Robot, noted:

“The robotics world has spent years wowing us with highlight reels of machines doing the extraordinary. What's been missing from the frame is the person the robot is actually supposed to help. Being named a WEF Technology Pioneer is a meaningful validation that the world is ready for robots that are simply useful — robots that work with people, not just in front of a camera.”

The honor follows momentum for the assistive platform, which launched its customer-informed Stretch 4 redesign in May of this year and previously captured the RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award.