11 June 2026 | News
Image Courtesy: Public Domain
Hello Robot, the team behind the Stretch mobile manipulation platform, 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.
