Italian startup AdapTronics has won Infineon’s 2026 Startup Challenge with a robotic gripping technology. COSMOKE and TECHiFAB complete the podium of a competition focused on humanoid robots and physical artificial intelligence.
Semiconductor maker Infineon has announced the winners of its competition for humanoid robotics technologies. According to the company, more than 100 startups from 29 countries took part in this edition, and 15 of them were selected to develop and present their solutions. The finalists pitched their projects at a Demo Day held in Graz, Austria, during the Electronic Based Systems Conference (EBSCON).
How AdapTronics grips objects without suction cups or mechanical grippers
Italian startup AdapTronics took first place with a technology that lets robots grasp different types of objects without relying on conventional suction cups or mechanical grippers.
According to Infineon, the solution could be used in humanoid robotics, but also in logistics, packaging and space robotics. These sectors are potential markets for a technology built around object manipulation.
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Lorenzo Agostini, founder and CEO of AdapTronics, said the competition gave his company access to technical experts, industry know-how and an innovation network. The startup plans to keep developing its solution and to explore new partnerships.
COSMOKE and TECHiFAB recognized for robotic touch sensing and motor control
South Korean startup COSMOKE came second with COSKIN, a flexible magnetic tactile sensing technology. It is designed to give humanoid robots information about touch, pressure and physical interactions.
The technology aims to improve precise object handling and to support safer interactions between humans and robots. It is part of a wider effort to develop tactile perception systems for machines that operate in contact with their surroundings.
German startup TECHiFAB finished third with an in-memory computing approach applied to real-time control of robotic actuator motors. According to the company, this architecture can deliver faster and more energy-efficient control of humanoid robot drive systems.
Infineon gives startups access to its hardware and software platforms
As part of the competition, Infineon provided participating companies with hardware and software platforms covering environmental sensing, artificial skin, motor control and visual feedback. The teams also had access to the group’s in-house AI development tools.
Sören Jehmlich, Vice President for Ventures, Startups and Ecosystems at Infineon, said working with young companies makes it possible to combine new ideas with semiconductor technologies that are already proven in industry. The goal is to speed up the development of market-ready applications.
Dirk Geiger, Senior Director and head of the humanoid robotics team at Infineon, highlighted the complexity of these machines, which bring together power supply, sensors, real-time connectivity, safety, security, software and AI computing. In his view, no single company can master all of these fields alone.
AdapTronics to join Infineon’s co-innovation program in November 2026
With its win, AdapTronics will join Infineon’s Startup Co-Innovation Program. The program is intended to help the young Italian company keep developing its gripping technology and work with the semiconductor specialist on scaling it up.
The collaboration is due to be launched at Infineon’s Startup Night, held in Munich in November 2026.