Aaron Parness, director of applied sciences at Amazon Robotics, and Bhavana Chandrashekhar, the senior manager of applied science at Amazon Robotics, speaking at the 2026 RBR50 gala.
The Robot Report is seeking nominations for its 2026 TRR50 Robotics Innovation Awards. The RBR50 has recognized the most innovative organizations and robots since 2012, and this year we’re rebranding to The Robot Report 50 (TRR50). Here are the winners from 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021.
Each year, The Robot Report selects the most interesting and important robotics innovations from around the world. The deadline for submissions is Friday, Jan. 5, 2027. Submit your nomination(s) below.
The TRR50 winners will be celebrated at an awards gala during the Robotics Summit & Expo, which will be held on June 2 and 3, 2027 in Boston. Some of the winners will also be demoing their robots on the Robotics Summit expo floor in the TRR50 Pavilion.
TRR50 Awards categories
To be eligible, all nominations must be for innovations that were initiated, released, or executed between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2026. The TRR50 is looking for submissions in the following categories:
Startup of the Year: The nominee must be less than five years, and it must be already testing its innovation with customers. Last year, Physical Intelligence, which offers AI models that change how robots learn, earned the Startup of the Year award, and the year before, Mytra took home the honors.
Application of the Year: The winner will be a use case that has previously been difficult to automate and where robotics and automation have demonstrated a clear benefit over previous processes. Last year, Harvard University won for its wearable robot aids to help those struggling after a stroke or with ALS. The year before, TEPCO won for its work to remove radioactive fuel from Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
Robot of the Year: The TRR50 awards are seeking a robot that is a game-changer in terms of technology innovation, use case, and industry influence. Amazon’s Vulcan robot won the award in 2026, and Robotaxi developer Waymo won in 2025.
Robots for Good: The TRR50 Robots for Good Award honors a robot that make a positive impact on society by addressing social challenges, improving quality of life or work, or promoting sustainability. Tatum Robotics won in 2026 for its robotic hand that enables tactile sign language communication. In 2025, Hello Robot’s Stretch 3 mobile manipulator won the inaugural Robots for Good Award.
Best use of AI: The TRR50 Best Use of AI Award will honor a real-world application for AI in robotics. This new category will highlight one use case that exemplifies how AI is changing robotics.
Products: This category honors new robots, enabling technologies, and research.
Business: This category honors major milestones, unique business models, and other initiatives positioning a company as a market leader.
Applications: The TRR50 will also recognize innovations that improve productivity, quality, and cost-effectiveness, as well as those that automate new tasks.
For any questions related to the 2027 TRR50 Robotics Innovation Awards, please contact Steve Crowe.
Submission Form for 2027 TRR50 Robotics Innovation Awards
Fill out the form to nominate your company for the 2027 TRR50 Robotics Innovation Awards.
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