MassRobotics reveals 11 startups to take part in 5th Healthcare Robotics Startup Catalyst Program - Robotics & Automation News
#### Lupa Robotics (San Francisco, CA) Lupa is building the first mass-scale, transferable human dexterity dataset with glove-captured vision, touch, and motion, to pioneer a robot-hand foundation model that delivers capable hands to the real world.
Key takeaways
Humanoid robots moved from showcase to real‑world use in early 2026. At CES 2026, companies such as Figure AI, Unitree, Tesla and Boston Dynamics demonstrated walking, lifting and interactive machines, and Boston Dynamics unveiled a production‑ready Atlas that is already operating in Hyundai’s Savannah, Ga., plant, while Hyundai announced plans to manufacture tens of thousands of units annually by 2028. In the automotive sector, Figure 02 humanoids have logged 10‑hour shifts on BMW’s X3 line, supporting the production of 30,000 vehicles and handling 90,000 sheet‑metal parts, and Tesla’s Optimus began training at the Austin Gigafactory with simple tasks and more advanced capabilities expected by year‑end. Siemens completed a logistics proof‑of‑concept for destocking and tote transport, and Schaeffler secured a five‑year deal to deploy hundreds of humanoids in factories beginning in 2026‑27. The market is expanding rapidly: a 2025‑2026 report shows global installations topping 16,000 units, with Shanghai‑based AgiBot leading the market (31 % share) followed by Unitree (27 %) and UBTech, while Tesla entered the top five with roughly 5 % share. Chinese firms are pushing lower‑cost platforms and robot‑as‑a‑service models for retail, entertainment and promotional events, accelerating adoption beyond industrial settings. In the consumer arena, Faraday Future announced three commercial humanoids—one full‑size for public spaces and a smaller home‑use version—scheduled for delivery in late February, positioning the company as the first U.S. maker to ship robots to end users. Not all demonstrations have been flawless; XPeng’s IRON robot fell face‑first during its debut in a Chinese mall, underscoring the ongoing challenges of reliable balance and perception even as the technology matures.
Lupa Robotics (San Francisco, CA)
Lupa is building the first mass-scale, transferable human dexterity dataset with glove-captured vision, touch, and motion, to pioneer a robot-hand foundation model that delivers capable hands to the real world.
Ras Labs (Boston, MA)
Innovators with Tactile Fingertip and Synthetic Muscle technologies that provide robots with a humanlike sense of touch, enhancing dexterity for grippers, humanoids, and prosthetics.
Revolve Surgical (Toronto, Canada)
Developers of a zero-footprint surgical robotics and AI platform designed to bring accessible, scalable robotic surgery to every operating room, from academic hospitals to rural outpatient centers.
Whelix (Boston, MA) #### Humotech (Pittsburgh, PA)
Humotech powers data-driven, precision care by helping clinicians rapidly compare prosthetic foot options for people with lower limb amputation.
HyperSpectral Corp (Alexandria, VA)
Merges hyperspectral imaging and Raman spectroscopy with an autonomous AI scientist to enable rapid, automated pathogen detection and experimentation for healthcare and bioprocessing.
Inception Robotics (College Park, MD)
Developers of robots for mundane pharmacy tasks. Inception Robotics’ MedSort™ autonomously sorts returned medicines to save pharmacy technician time, reduce burnout and medication waste.
Lupa Robotics (San Francisco, CA) #### Concerto Biosciences (Cambridge, MA)
Pioneers of “kChip,” a laboratory automation platform that constructs and measures millions of microbial combinations to map the microbial world and develop science-first human health products.
Enchanted Tools (Paris, France)
Creators of The Mirokaï, character-based robots designed to deliver everyday on-site assistance in care settings, guiding and reassuring patients and residents while autonomously handling simple logistics to support care teams.
Hesy Tech (Reston, VA)
Developers of an AI-guided robotic platform for preventive dentistry that automates routine hygiene tasks, allowing clinics to increase capacity and consistency under human oversight.
Humotech (Pittsburgh, PA)
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