Contactile wins global robotics residency opportunity
31st August 2026
Sydney robotics company Contactile has won Propel-AIR 2026, earning a residency at Boston innovation hub MassRobotics and an opportunity to accelerate its technology into international markets.
Contactile, which is developing technology designed to give robots a human-like sense of touch, emerged as the winner following a four-week program involving seven Australian companies.
ARM Hub’s AI and robotics sprint program, delivered in partnership with MassRobotics, included structured mentoring and investor sessions before concluding with a final pitch night on July 31.
Contactile develops bio-inspired tactile sensors and grippers that allow robots to measure force, slip and friction. The technology is designed to enable robots to reliably handle delicate or variable objects without causing damage.
Founded out of UNSW Sydney in 2019, Contactile is targeting industrial AI applications where reliable physical manipulation is critical to taking robotic technology from demonstrations into real-world applications.
Contactile CEO and co-founder Dr Heba Khamis said the MassRobotics residency would provide valuable access to the US robotics industry.
“This residency is a tremendous opportunity to connect with the Boston robotics ecosystem more broadly and build relationships with some of the most exciting companies developing solutions in the Physical AI space,” Khamis said.
“The market timing for tactile intelligence has never been better.”
The win coincides with ARM Hub and MassRobotics signing a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration between Brisbane and Boston.
The agreement is designed to support joint development of industrial AI and robotics capabilities, encourage the exchange of technology and expertise and help Australian companies enter global markets. Contactile’s residency will be the first initiative delivered under the agreement.
ARM Hub CEO Professor Cori Stewart said Contactile’s technology addressed an increasingly important challenge as the robotics sector develops humanoid and general-purpose machines.
“They were a standout in this cohort because their technology answers a problem the whole industry is running into at once,” Stewart said.
SpatioTemporal, which is developing an intent-aware motion intelligence layer for Physical AI, was named Propel-AIR runner-up.
Contactile will undertake residency planning during August and September before beginning its Boston placement in October.
MassRobotics resident startups have collectively raised more than US$2 billion in venture funding since 2017, providing Contactile with access to one of the world’s leading robotics ecosystems.