morph embeds AI into soft robotic cells for hardware-software fusion

What happened

London-based robotics startup morph emerged from stealth with backing from investors including 8VC, Copper, Qubit Health Capital, Valia Ventures, Blue Lion, Harvey Spevak (chairman of Equinox Group), and musician Pharrell Williams. The company has developed soft robotic cells that embed sensing and adaptive control directly into deformable materials, enabling real-time morphological change and stiffness adjustment.

Why it matters

morph's approach challenges the industry assumption that hardware and software can be developed separately. By integrating AI models and continuous learning directly into soft materials, the company aims to create robots that sense, adapt, and respond to their environment in real time—a shift that could make robotics safer for human interaction and more practical for environments beyond industrial warehouses. The use of soft, deformable materials also promises better manufacturing scalability and cost efficiency.

What to watch

morph is initially focusing on healthcare applications including athletic performance, injury prevention, and mobility support, with plans to scale across healthcare, automotive, and industrial safety. The company operates on a B2B model, positioning itself as a software, design, and fabrication partner for robotics developers working on problems that require deformable or soft components.