Europe’s robotics and physical AI ecosystem is expanding beyond traditional industrial automation to include humanoid robots, autonomous defence and security systems, software-defined manufacturing, and AI models designed to understand and act in the physical world.
This list highlights some of Europe’s most promising robotics startups founded between 2024 and 2026. Together, they demonstrate the growing convergence of artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomy and advanced engineering.
While not all of these companies are pure-play robotics startups, each is developing technology that enables machines, autonomous systems or industrial infrastructure to operate more intelligently in real-world environments.
Several have also attracted significant early-stage investment, reflecting growing investor interest in the technologies underpinning the next generation of physical automation.
Advanced Machine Intelligence
Founded in Paris in 2026, Advanced Machine Intelligence develops AI systems that build abstract representations of physical and digital environments from sensor data, allowing intelligent systems to reason, predict outcomes and plan actions. Its work has potential applications across robotics, industrial automation, wearables and healthcare.
Advanced Machine Intelligence raised approximately €890 million at a €3 billion pre-money valuation in one of Europe’s largest-ever Seed rounds in March this year,
Cambridge Aerospace
Cambridge AerospaceOperating from Cambridge in the United Kingdom, Cambridge Aerospace was founded in 2024 and develops air-defence technology for detecting and intercepting aerial threats. Its work includes drone and missile interceptors, radar systems and rocket propulsion technology, alongside manufacturing capabilities for its defence systems.
Cambridge Aerospace has raised more than $630 million to date, which includes a Series C in August of this year at a €2.94 billion valuation.
Flexion Robotics
Zurich is home to Flexion Robotics, a robotics company founded in 2024. It is developing an AI-powered autonomy software stack for humanoid robots, combining reinforcement learning, language-based reasoning, vision-language-action models and whole-body control.
The company trains its systems in high-fidelity simulations to help robots learn complex tasks while reducing reliance on human demonstrations. Flexion Robotics has raised approximately €49.6 million to date.
Generative Bionics
Generative BionicsFounded in 2025 in Genoa, Italy, Generative Bionics develops humanoid robots and Physical AI systems for industrial and service environments. Its approach brings together robotics, artificial intelligence and engineering to support safe and reliable operation in real-world settings. Generative Bionics has raised €70 million in funding so far.
Harmattan AI
Harmattan AIAlso emerging from Paris’ growing defence technology ecosystem, Harmattan AI was founded in 2024 and develops AI-powered autonomous systems for military applications.
The company’s technology covers unmanned vehicles, sensor integration, mission planning and real-time decision-making, with systems designed for operations across land, air and maritime environments.
Harmattan AI has raised approximately €209.2 million in funding including a Series B in January of this year.
Hive Robots
Hive RobotsIn Kongens Lyngby, Denmark, Hive Robots is building humanoid robot workforce solutions for businesses. Founded in 2025, the company offers proof-of-concept programmes, robot-as-a-service models, software development and vertically integrated deployments.
Hive targets sectors including logistics, retail, hospitality and healthcare across Scandinavia and Northern Europe.
Humanoid
HumanoidWith its headquarters in London, Humanoid is developing general-purpose humanoid robots for industrial and commercial environments. Its technology combines proprietary humanoid hardware with its KinetIQ AI and software stack, initially targeting applications across manufacturing, logistics and warehousing.
Humanoid raised €133 million in Series A funding in July 2026, reaching a €1.1 billion post-money valuation.
Isembard
IsembardLondon-headquartered Isembard is building software-powered factories for high-precision manufacturing across aerospace, defence and energy. Founded in 2024, the company operates modular manufacturing units equipped with machine tools and robotics, producing precision components from materials including metals, plastics and composites.
In March of this year, the company raised €43 million ($50 million) in Series A funding, less than 12 months after its Seed round.
Rollo Robotics
Rollo RoboticsFounded in Tallinn in 2025, Rollo Robotics develops autonomous monowheel security robots that use gyroscopic stabilisation technology. The company combines robotics, sensing and automation to support continuous security and monitoring applications.
Rollo Robotics has so far raised €3.7 million in pre-Seed funding.
Stateful Robotics
Stateful RoboticsEmerging from Oxford’s robotics research ecosystem, Stateful Robotics was founded in 2025 and develops a hardware-agnostic mission-control platform for mobile robots operating in dynamic environments.
Its technology has been used with quadruped robots carrying out hazardous inspections, mobile service robots working in security and care settings, and underwater robots collecting environmental data. Stateful Robotics has raised €4.1 million.
Summary
Taken together, these companies illustrate how Europe’s robotics sector is developing beyond traditional industrial automation. Their approaches span foundational Physical AI, humanoid platforms, autonomous defence systems, security robots and software for coordinating robotic fleets, with applications across manufacturing, logistics, defence, healthcare and other physical environments.
Funding levels vary considerably, but the scale of recent rounds is notable. Advanced Machine Intelligence secured close to €890 million in 2026, while Cambridge Aerospace raised more than €430 million across two rounds during the year. Harmattan AI’s $200 million Series B and Humanoid’s €133 million Series A further point to substantial capital moving into the intersection of AI, robotics and autonomous systems.
