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

The Robot Report20h ago5 min read
morph embeds AI into soft robotic cells for hardware-software fusion

Key takeaway

morph, a London-based robotics startup, has emerged from stealth with backing from major investors to deploy soft robotic cells that embed sensing and AI directly into deformable materials. The company aims to fuse hardware and software development, allowing robots to adapt and respond to their environment in real time. It is initially targeting healthcare applications and plans to offer its design and fabrication platform to other robotics developers across multiple industries.

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3 Key Points

  • 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.

FAQ

What makes morph's approach different from traditional robotics?
morph embeds intelligence and sensing directly into soft, deformable materials rather than treating hardware and software as separate elements. This allows the cells to sense, adapt, and change shape in real time to respond to the body and environment, and they can continue learning after deployment through a continuous learning loop.
What industries will morph target first?
morph is initially focusing on healthcare applications, including athletic performance, injury prevention, and mobility support. The company plans to scale its programmable platform across healthcare, automotive, and industrial safety over time.
How does morph plan to work with other companies?
morph operates on a B2B model, positioning itself as a software, design, and fabrication partner. It is looking for robotics developers working on problems that require deformable or soft components and offers its design engine, manufacturing stack, and ability to deploy and test models for specific applications.

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