World Economic Forum Names Hello Robot a 2026 Technology Pioneer

Hello Robot, Recognized for Putting People at the Center of Physical AI, Joins WEF Innovators Community

MARTINEZ, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hello Robot, the team behind the Stretch mobile manipulation platform, today announced its selection as a 2026 Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum (WEF). The recognition underscores Hello Robot's mission to build robots that truly serve people — from individuals with severe mobility impairments to older adults aging in place — at a moment when Physical AI is reshaping the future of general-purpose robotics.

Each year, the World Economic Forum selects 100 Technology Pioneers, honoring early-stage companies whose breakthrough innovations are transforming business and society at large. Hello Robot is honored to be among this year's cohort, representing a new generation of robotics companies that prioritize human benefit over spectacle — advancing practical, safe, and accessible robots designed to operate shoulder-to-shoulder with the people they serve.

"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," said Verena Kuhn, Head of Innovator Communities, World Economic Forum. "As the Technology Pioneers programme 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."

"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," said Aaron Edsinger, co-founder and CEO of Hello Robot. "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. We are proud to join this global community of innovators and look forward to contributing to the global conversation on how technology can enhance life for everyone."

From the beginning, Hello Robot has worked toward a future in which robots enhance life for everyone. In addition to deployments at hundreds of research, academic, and corporate locations, the company has been piloting Stretch with individuals with severe mobility impairments, including people with quadriplegia, who control the robot through a mobile phone app to accomplish daily tasks such as fetching a drink of water, feeding themselves, and closing the blinds — tasks that, for many users, represent a profound increase in independence and agency. The company introduced Stretch 4 in May of this year, a major redesign based on customer feedback, resulting in a versatile and easy-to-use platform for developers. In 2025, Hello Robot's Stretch 3 won the RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award for Robots for Good, a legacy Stretch 4 is designed to carry forward and deepen.

The full list of 2026 Technology Pioneers can be found at weforum.org.

About Hello Robot

Hello Robot is a robotics company dedicated to developing practical, safe, and accessible robots for people. Hello Robot was founded in 2017 by veteran roboticists Aaron Edsinger and Charlie Kemp, who collectively bring more than 50 years of experience from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Google, and Georgia Institute of Technology. Their flagship robotic platform, Stretch, is one of the world's most popular open-source platforms for mobile manipulation, designed to operate safely shoulder-to-shoulder with people in homes, workplaces, and care settings. To learn more, visit www.hello-robot.com.

About The World Economic Forum

The World Economic Forum, committed to improving the state of the world, is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. (www.weforum.org)

About The Technology Pioneers

Launched in 2000, the Technology Pioneers is a leading community for early-stage companies from around the world that are shaping the future through breakthrough technologies and innovations. These companies are selected for their potential to have a significant impact on business and society and are invited to engage with public and private sector leaders through the World Economic Forum's global platform. The Technology Pioneers community is part of the Innovator Communities at the World Economic Forum, which convene the world's leading global start ups across different growth stages from early-stage Technology Pioneers to growth-stage Global Innovators and unicorn companies valued at more than $1 billion.