The 48 companies on the map
48 robotics and physical AI companies and research teams based in, or built through a university or program in, the twelve Midwest states. A selection by Abdul Al Ali, not a census. By layer and category, as the map places them: each with where it is, its one line and the public page that names it. Each says its stage where its sources record one (the map's side axis, and the order of the tiles in each box): raised a round, or campus-born.
CSVJSON
Data
Sensing3
- Dirac LabsMadison, WIQuantum (diamond magnetometer) navigation sensors for GPS-denied environments.Raised a round: Seed, $1.8 million, Q3 2026Source start-midwest.com
- GRYFNIndianaMulti-sensor UAV systems capturing RGB, LiDAR and hyperspectral data (Purdue startup).Campus-born: named by stories.prf.orgSource stories.prf.org
- Sensory RoboticsCincinnati, OH3D-camera safety systems that create safety zones around industrial robots; adapting it for Air Force hangars.Campus-born: named by uc.eduSource uc.edu
Vision & Capture3
- OneTrackChicago, ILAI cameras and edge sensors on forklifts and in warehouses for safety and operations analytics (formerly Intelligent Flying Machines).Source einpresswire.com
- ReconstructChampaign, ILComputer-vision reality capture that aligns site imagery to design models to track construction progress.Source builtinchicago.org
- ThreadNorth DakotaAutonomous drone and robotics data collection for infrastructure inspection (formerly Airtonomy).Source blogs.und.edu
Datasets1
Model2
- FreightMinerAnn Arbor, MIAftermarket teleoperated-plus-autonomous driving conversion kit for commercial trucks.Source purpose.jobs
- May MobilityAnn Arbor, MIAutonomous vehicle driving stack and shuttle/ride-hail deployments (MPDM decision-making).Raised a round: Strategic investment, September 2025Sources roboticsroundup.substack.com, purpose.jobs
Interface
Actuation2
- Auxetic RoboticsSoft, motor-driven artificial-muscle structures to make humanoid robots safer and cheaper (Northwestern research team).Campus-born: named by polsky.uchicago.eduSource polsky.uchicago.edu
- Circular Wave DriveColumbus, OHEfficient, ruggedized speed-reducing gear systems for robotics and aerospace actuation.Source builtin.com
Robot Platforms2
Control Software2
- BotlinkNorth DakotaCloud-based drone operations and flight-control platform.Source unmanned-aerial.com
- TactunEdina, MNAI-ready hardware controllers and a no-code software platform for smart-machinery makers.Source inven.ai
Application
Agriculture7
Manufacturing5
- 1872Cincinnati, OHAI-native, robot-driven steel fabrication factory run by its own Factory OS software.Raised a round: Seed, $15 million, July 2026Source pulse2.com
- ABAGY Robotic SystemsBuffalo Grove, ILSoftware and hardware that let manufacturers automate high-mix robotic welding with minimal programming.Source inven.ai
- Atomic IndustriesDetroit, MIAI-driven, scalable manufacturing technology (automated tool and die / injection-mold tooling).Raised a round: Series A, $25M, September 2025Source roboticsroundup.substack.com
- FormicChicago, ILRobots-as-a-service: leases and runs packing and palletizing robots for small and mid-sized factories.Raised a round: Series B (plus debt financing), $50 million, October 2026Sources roboticsroundup.substack.com, builtinchicago.org
- Path RoboticsColumbus, OHAI-driven autonomous robotic welding systems for manufacturers.Raised a round: Series B, $56M, May 2021Sources purpose.jobs, inven.ai, prnewswire.com
Inspection2
Delivery & Logistics5
- BedestrianAnn Arbor, MIAutonomous indoor/outdoor delivery robots for hospitals and facilities.Source purpose.jobs
- BluefliteBrighton, MIAutonomous cargo drones and drone logistics, including BVLOS organ-transport pilots.Sources start-midwest.com, purpose.jobs
- Refraction AIAnn Arbor, MILast-mile autonomous delivery robots that ride in bike lanes in all weather.Source purpose.jobs
- ThorDriveCincinnati, OHAutonomous driving system for airport cargo and baggage tractors.Source purpose.jobs
- UnloadEden Prairie, MNWarehouse automation with horizontal-moving robots for dense storage and order fulfillment.Source inven.ai
Facilities & Field5
- Avea RoboticsAutonomous, collaborative floor-cleaning robots for mid-sized commercial buildings (UChicago venture challenge finalist).Campus-born: named by polsky.uchicago.eduSource polsky.uchicago.edu
- BotCrewDuluth, MNAutonomous construction robots and vehicle-autonomy retrofits for solar and wind projects, offered as a service.Source inven.ai
- Hire HenrySt. Louis, MOAutonomous industrial mowers using GPS and computer vision for large commercial properties.Source fullscale.io
- RoadPrintzCleveland Heights, OHRobotic road-marking (stencil painting) system mounted on trucks.Source builtin.com
- SnowbotixAll-electric, all-terrain robot for snow and ice management (piloted at Grand Rapids airport).Source purpose.jobs
Testing & Service2
- RoboTireDetroit, MIAutomated robotic tire-changing systems for auto service shops (production in Plymouth, MI per its profile; verify current status).Source purpose.jobs
- Tapster RoboticsOak Park, ILRobots that physically tap and swipe phones and touchscreens for automated device testing.Source startupintros.com
Defense & Security3
- Agilis AirYoungstown, OHLow-cost, NDAA-compliant American-made drones with GPS-denied autonomy for defense.Raised a round: Early funding, $1.4 million, September 2026Source prnewswire.com
- Common Vector RoboticsDetroit, MIRugged autonomous ground robots for defense, logistics and field operations, with in-house components.Source michiganbusiness.org
- ReconRoboticsEdina, MNThrowable tactical micro-robots (Throwbot) for police and military reconnaissance.Source cbsnews.com
Food & Retail3
Healthcare1
- Virtual IncisionLincoln, NEMIRA miniaturized, single-incision robotic-assisted surgery platform.Raised a round: Series C, $46 Million, November 2021Source biospace.com
Each company links its own site where it has one that answers, and the public page that names it. Where it is comes from its sources: a city, or only the state when that is all they say. A mistake or a missing company? Message Abdul on X.
