AWS, NVIDIA, and MassRobotics pick Diligent for first Physical AI Fellowship cohort

Many developers need help to combine robotics and artificial intelligence for real-world applications. Diligent Robotics today said it has been chosen for the inaugural cohort of the Physical AI Fellowship, which provides technical and go-to-market guidance, compute and hardware resources, and access to a global robotics network.

“AI-native robotics will define the next generation of automation,” said Rashed Haq, chief technology officer of Diligent Robotics. “This fellowship offers our team access to world-class compute, cutting-edge tools, and leading technical teams building the robotics ecosystem. This support will accelerate development of the new robotic capabilities.”

Founded in 2017, Diligent Robotics has built “socially intelligent, AI-native” mobile manipulators to improve workflow efficiency. The Austin, Texas-based company said its Moxi robot is helping nurses in more than 25 hospitals across the U.S.

Moxi is designed to aid with routine tasks such as delivering medications and laboratory samples, freeing staffers to care directly for patienats and preventing burnout. The system has already saved hospital staffers nearly 600,000 hours and completed over 1 million tasks successfully, including 300,000 pharmacy deliveries, claimed Diligent.

Moxi is not a full humanoid but has two arms, a torso, and a head on a wheeled robot base. Last week, the company announced a partnership with Swisslog Healthcare to bring “last-mile delivery” to hospitals.

Physical AI Fellowship provides startup resources

Amazon Web Services (AWS), NVIDIA, and MassRobotics said they designed the fellowship program to accelerate startups building intelligent systems that will operate in the physical world.

Each fellow will receive $200,000 in AWS cloud credits and embedded support from scientists and engineers at the AWS Generative AI Innovation Center (GenAIIC).

“Physical AI is the next frontier of innovation where the intelligence we have advanced in the digital world now shapes how machines interact in the real world,” said Tye Brady, chief technologist of robotics at Amazon. “With the tools and guidance from AWS and our partners in this program, these startups will have both the horsepower and playbook to transform bold ideas into automation that will reshape entire industries.”

Participants will also have access to NVIDIA platforms such as Isaac and Cosmos, plus Deep Learning Institute credits and hardware/software discounts through the NVIDIA Inception startup program.

MassRobotics will provide testbed and ecosystem support, including its shared workspace, its community of 100 resident startups, and access to more than 30 corporate sponsors. The program will culminate in high-visibility showcases at AWS, NVIDIA, and MassRobotics events, including re:Invent 2025.

Diligent Robotics noted that the Physical AI Fellowship will support the expansion its robotic fleet and its efforts to develop foundation models for autonomous humanoid robots in dynamic, human-facing environments. The company plans to further scale and refine the intelligence layer powering its Moxi flagship robot.

Diligent asserted that these improvements will bolster its efforts to deliver a foundational AI model for the next generation of collaborative robots to transform the future of work. Other companies in the first Physical AI Fellowship cohort include:

• Bedrock Robotics — provides same-day hardware and software installation to provide autonomy to existing construction equipment fleets
• Blue Water Autonomy — integrating hardware, software, and AI to enable uncrewed ships to operate on the open ocean for months at a time
• Generalist AI — developing end-to-end AI foundation models toward general-purpose robots, starting with a focus on dexterity
• RobCo — offering modular hardware and and a no-code platform to automate tasks such as machine tending, palletizing, dispensing, or welding without upfront investment or specialist expertise
• Tutor Intelligence — building AI-powered robots to help manufacturers and warehouses obtain immediate returns on investment
• Wandercraft — developing exoskeletons to help with rehabilitation and restoring walking ability at home and in outpatient centers
• Zordi — combining AI, robotics, and machine learning to innovate greenhouse agriculture

See Diligent Robotics co-founder at RoboBusiness

Vivian Chu, co-founder and chief innovation officer of Diligent Robotics, will be speaking at RoboBusiness 2025, which takes place Oct. 15 and 16 at the Santa Clara Convention Center. She will present on “AI for Dexterity & Adaptation in High-Stakes Environments.”

NVIDIA will be represented in multiple sessions by Jim Fan, director of AI and a distinguished scientist; Amit Goel, director of product management for autonomous machines; and Deepu Talla, vice president of robotics and edge AI.

MassRobotics speakers will include Joyce Sidopoulos, co-founder and chief of operations; Daniel Theobald, co-founder; and Marita McGinn, director at the MassRobotics Accelerator. The organization will host the two-part Startup Boot Camp, the Women in Robotics Lunch, and a session on the evolution of sensors for agrobotics.

In addition, Kunal Patil, senior technical program manager at Amazon Robotics, will be among the more than 60 speakers at the premiere event for developers and suppliers of commercial robots. RoboBusiness will feature tracks on:

• Physical AI (new for 2025)
• Humanoids (new for 2025)
• Field robotics (expanded for 2025)
• Enabling technologies
• Business development
• Design and development best practices

This year’s conference will also include a startup workshop, the annual Pitchfire startup competition, and numerous networking opportunities. Over 100 exhibitors on the show floor will showcase the latest enabling technologies, products, and services to help solve robotics development challenges.

RoboBusiness will be co-located with DeviceTalks West, which focuses on medical technology professionals. Registration is now open.

For information about sponsorship and exhibition opportunities, contact Colleen Sepich at csepich[AT]wtwhmedia.com.

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