How ADI helps robotics startups grow

Sponsored by Analog Devices Inc.

Robotics companies are developing new capabilities at a rapid pace, from autonomous mobile robots to humanoid systems. However, keeping up with technological advances is part of the challenge. The most important thing is to turn a successful prototype into a commercially viable product that can be produced and distributed at scale.

“The biggest challenge I see robotics startups facing today is the speed at which the industry is moving,” says Cameron Villone, Senior Product Technology Manager at Analog Devices Inc. (ADI).

In most cases, a startup excels at adopting next-generation technologies in sensing, motion control, and artificial intelligence, but commercialization requires additional expertise in electronics, systems integration, validation, and manufacturing. These demands can often strain the resources of smaller engineering teams.

ADI is developing its Emerging Tech Hub within Analog Garage to help robotics startups and established companies overcome these challenges. The Emerging Tech Hub aims to provide companies with access to ADI engineers, prototyping and testing resources, and manufacturing and procurement expertise as they prepare designs for production.

The challenges of scaling robotics innovation

ADI was recently highlighted in THE Race to create artificial intelligence Physicist whitepaper explaining how physical AI combines sensing, signal conversion, perception, reasoning, control, processing and validation. These functions must work together for a robot to function reliably. Even when a robot makes the right decision, executing that decision depends on accurate sensor data, timely control signals, and sufficient power to drive its actuators.

These engineering requirements continue to change as the product moves from prototype to production. For example, a prototype must demonstrate whether the technology can work, but commercialization requires that the complete system works consistently under different operating conditions.

ADI describes it through four phases: Idea, Prototype, Validate and Scale. The initial phases focus on development and proof of concept, while validation involves testing the integrated system, identifying potential issues, and optimizing the design prior to production. Scaling introduces additional manufacturing and supply chain requirements.

Robotics companies must protect components, coordinate production and maintain consistent quality as volumes increase. “ADI’s extensive experience in sensor development and semiconductor manufacturing enables knowledge-based support as these robotics developers move from idea to production,” says Villone.

These changing demands for a robotics startup are the gaps that ADI’s Emerging Tech Hub aims to fill.

The Emerging Tech Hub brings expertise and resources

The Emerging Tech Hub is a robotics-focused initiative developed to bring startups and established robotics companies closer to ADI’s technical teams, including engineers implementing newly released or in-development technologies.

Villone describes the approach as “co-development,” where when a company approaches the Emerging Tech Hub, the first step is to establish its current capabilities, what it is trying to achieve and how to do it. Alginalign these goals with the mission of the Emerging Tech Hub. From there, the two parties can determine what type of collaboration is appropriate.

Technical support from ADI will depend on the stage and needs of the robotics company. For example, one mature robotics developer might need a particular semiconductor component, while another might be looking to solve a different engineering problem, prompting the Emerging Tech Hub to find specialists within ADI. An early-stage startup may need more guidance to clarify its architecture and identify what requires further development.

The Emerging Tech Hub brings together three support areas. Technical expertise ranges from robotics, control, cutting-edge artificial intelligence, energy and systems integration. Development resources include labs, prototyping tools, reference designs, testing and validation capabilities, and hands-on technical support. For companies preparing to increase production, it also provides guidance on sourcing and industry connections.

Villone said ADI has recruited robotics experts from across the industry to be better equipped to handle the fast-paced robotic development. He cited ADI’s GMSL™ technology as an example of expertise that can help robotics developers address camera connectivity and integration. This support extends beyond simple component selection to decisions about how technologies fit into the larger robotic system.

The Emerging Tech Hub is still being prepared for wider external participation, with applications expected to open by the end of 2026.

Connecting startup agility and enterprise resources

Startups need flexibility to quickly test ideas and maintain control of their technology. But working with a large tech company can introduce a tension between speed and structure.

Villone acknowledged that some startups are reluctant to work with larger companies because they worry about what such a relationship might mean for their business. However, he sees an opportunity when intentions are clear.

ADI’s interest is to enable robotics applications using its semiconductors, while startups can benefit from expertise and resources that would be difficult to develop independently. Partnership works best when both parties understand what they want to achieve.

This is the same model that ADI offers for its Emerging Tech Hub. The company describes the relationship as collaborative, with a flexible and startup-friendly commitmentwith the AND startups that retain their intellectual property. These principles allow companies to seek technical support without giving up ownership of their innovations.

The same questions will be explored in RoboBusiness on Oct. 20 during “Boot Camp for Robotics Startups, Part 2: Challenges and Best Practices for Working with Corporate Partners.”

Colm Prendergast, senior director and head of the Emerging Tech Hub at ADI, will join representatives from MassRobotics and WiBotic to discuss how startups Candies pursue proofs of concept and pilots, how companies evaluate potential partners, and how startup agility can coexist with business processes.

The discussion aims to make such reports more practical for companies preparing to commercialize their technologies.

Conclusion

A robotics company requires engineering expertise, system validation, production planning, reliable component sourcing, and industry partnerships to successfully bring innovation to market. ADI’s Emerging Tech Hub addresses these challenges by connecting robotics companies with technical expertise and development resources.

To learn more about building successful business partnerships, attend Robotics Startup Boot Camp Part 2 at RoboBusiness, where industry leaders will discuss the opportunities and challenges of working together. Register now to participate.

About the author

Abhishek Jadhav is a technology writer who offers an engineer’s perspective to cover the electrical, electronics and IT industries. He writes in-depth analyzes that connect device-level design with emerging trends in AI hardware, embedded systems, and intelligent automation. His articles have appeared on Informa TechTarget, The Register, EE Times, Embedded.com, Power Electronics Newsand other trade publications.