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Draft:RISE Robotics

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RISE Robotics

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RISE Robotics is an American industrial technology company developing high-speed, high-efficiency, and fluid-free actuators for heavy machinery. Founded in 2011 by graduates of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), the company is known for its patented Beltdraulic system and its collaboration with the United States Department of Defense.

History and Mission

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RISE Robotics was founded in 2011 by MIT graduates Blake Sessions and Arron Acosta. The company was founded to develop technology that enhances human strength and agility through innovative engineering. Operating out of a Cambridge apartment, Sessions and Acosta created early prototypes focused on power transmission using springs and string-based actuators. In 2012, Toomas Sepp, another MIT graduate, joined as VP of Engineering. Sepp contributed to refining the designs and improving the efficiency of the prototypes, thereby further advancing the company’s technology development. By 2014, Kyle Dell’Aquila, an industrial designer, joined the founding team to support commercialization efforts, marking a shift toward addressing inefficiencies in hydraulic systems and expanding the company’s focus to industrial applications.

In 2015, Cyclone debuted at the Launch Festival and received the Best in Hardware Award. This led to investment alliances..[1]

Also in 2015, Arron Acosta[2] and Blake Sessions[3] were named among Forbes 30 Under 30 in Manufacturing and Industry.

Since its founding, RISE Robotics has grown into an industrial technology company specializing in electrifying hydraulic systems to improve speed and precision, and reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs. The company continues to develop and commercialize innovative technologies for industrial machinery. The company has grown through partnerships with Tier 1 suppliers[4], original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)[5], and government agencies[6], including the U.S. Department of Defense[7].

Investment History

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RISE Robotics' growth has been supported by a network of investors across multiple funding stages. In its early years, the company attracted angel investment from prominent figures, including Bill Warner[8]. These early investments helped support foundational research, prototype development, and the company’s transition from human augmentation to industrial technology applications.

Later investors included Techstars[9], MIT’s The Engine[10], Fortistar[11] and Gates Corporation. In April 2025, RISE launched a Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) community round on Wefunder by opening up its prior institutional round to retail investors.  As of July 2025, the community round had reached over $2.9 million in commitments from over 1,300 investors on Wefunder[12][13], including an investment from KingsCrowd Capital[14] who rated RISE’s offering 4.7 out of five stars.

In addition to investment financing, the company has also brought in over $9 million in development and product revenue from commercial and defense contracts.  Collectively, these have enabled RISE to scale development and achieve notable milestones such as setting a Guinness World Record[15] for the strongest robotic arm prototype.

Technology

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RISE is transforming traditional hydraulics with the Beltdraulic™ system, a fluid-free, high-efficiency alternative that utilizes advanced steel-reinforced belts[16]. Originally developed for elevator systems, these belts exert up to 4,000 pounds of force while weighing only 1.3 pounds, providing a high-performance alternative to hydraulic systems without the challenges of oil leaks.

Beltdraulic System

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The Beltdraulic System is an electromechanical linear actuator developed by RISE Robotics as an alternative to hydraulic, pneumatic, and screw-based actuation systems. Designed for medium- and heavy-duty applications, it uses steel-reinforced belts in a block-and-tackle configuration to multiply force and achieve high-speed, high-power operation. The system is fluid-free, eliminating the maintenance requirements and environmental risks associated with hydraulic fluids[17].

The actuator incorporates features commonly found in hydraulic systems, including pressure relief, load holding, and remote-mounted power units, while providing the efficiency and controllability of electric drives. Compared to conventional electric actuators, the Beltdraulic design supports higher speeds under load and accommodates longer stroke lengths, making it well suited for demanding motion applications. According to internal and third-party evaluations, the belt transmission achieves mechanical efficiencies above 90 percent, with overall system efficiency ranging from 70 to 85 percent depending on motor selection and duty cycle. The actuator can reach rod speeds exceeding 2 meters per second (79 inches per second) at full load. For example, a 20 kilonewton (4,500 pound-force) class unit is capable of delivering 40 kilowatts (54 horsepower) of mechanical power when paired with a suitable motor[18].

The system also supports regenerative lowering, contributing to total energy savings of 65–90% compared to traditional hydraulic systems. It is intended for use in applications such as industrial material handling, mobile equipment, military platforms, and environmentally sensitive environments.

Applications

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RISE Robotics' Beltdraulic technology[19] has a broad range of applications across construction, mining, defense, maritime, agriculture, forestry, logistics, and transportation sectors. It is designed to be compatible with many existing machines that currently use hydraulic cylinders, and can also be a compelling alternative to screw-type actuators in certain applications.

In 2022, the company was granted several U.S. patents related to its technology[20] [21], including US11835132B2[22], US11255416B2[23], US11535498B2[24], US11654816B2[25], and US11746860B2[26]

RISE now holds more than 20 patents worldwide.

Guinness World Record

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In March 2025, RISE Robotics' Beltdraulic-powered "SuperJammer Arm" set the Guinness World Record[27] for the strongest robotic arm prototype, lifting 3,181.95 kg (7,015 lbs) without the use of hydraulic systems. This achievement was officially recognized by Guinness World Records and featured in various media outlets. [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35]

Defense Contracts

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RISE Robotics has secured multiple contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense:

In April 2025, the company was added to the U.S. Air Force’s Eglin Wide Agile Acquisition Contract (EWAAC) On-Ramp IV, part of a $46 billion Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract.[36]

In May 2025, RISE was awarded a $250,000 Phase I SBIR contract by the U.S. Army to explore collapsible cranes for field deployment.[37]

In July 2023, AFWERX awarded the company $1.25 million for electric munitions handlers.[38]

In August 2022, it received $1.55 million to supply Common Lifting Devices to the USAF Life Cycle Management Center.[39]

In April 2022, the company received a $1.7 million TACFI award for modernizing the MHU-083 Jammer.[40]

In May 2022, it was awarded a $1.25 million SBIR Phase II award for developing ultra-light aircraft loading machines.[41]

References

  1. ^ "The 11 winners of the LAUNCH Festival 2015 (and why they won)".
  2. ^ "Forbes". Forbes.
  3. ^ "Forbes". Forbes.
  4. ^ "PowerMotionTech".
  5. ^ "BatteryTechOnline".
  6. ^ "PowerMotionTech".
  7. ^ "D2PMagazine".
  8. ^ "CrunchBase".
  9. ^ "TechStars".
  10. ^ "EngineVentures".
  11. ^ "Fortistar Portfolio".
  12. ^ "WeFunder".
  13. ^ "Round Expanded!". 10 July 2025.
  14. ^ "Replacing Hydraulics: Rise Robotics' Clean Tech Opportunity".
  15. ^ "Guinness World Record".
  16. ^ "RubberNews". 18 April 2024.
  17. ^ "New electric cylinder tech from RISE™Robotics cuts energy use, recharges batteries, uses flat belt inside".
  18. ^ "Electromechanical Cylinder Offers Varied Benefits in Range of Heavy Equipment Applications". 25 July 2022.
  19. ^ "Beltdraulic Offers Varied Benefits in Range of Heavy Equipment Applications". 25 July 2022.
  20. ^ "Rise Robotics patent a 'game changer' for flat belt drive systems". 6 February 2024.
  21. ^ "RISE™Robotics Granted US Patent for Key Technology – High Reduction Belt-Driven Linear Actuator". 22 December 2022.
  22. ^ "Normalizing tension distribution and minimizing sidewall abrasion within angular drive belt systems".
  23. ^ "High reduction belt-driven linear actuator".
  24. ^ "Fleet and twist tolerant flat belt design".
  25. ^ "Multiple use actuation system for vertical rail liftgate".
  26. ^ "Self-reeling belt drive".
  27. ^ "Strongest robotic arm (prototype)".
  28. ^ "RISE Robotics sets sights on Guinness World Record for strongest prototype arm". 11 March 2025.
  29. ^ "RISE Robotics to be Awarded GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for Strongest Robotic Arm Prototype".
  30. ^ "Interesting Engineering".
  31. ^ "RISE Robotics to be Awarded GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for Strongest Robotic Arm Prototype".
  32. ^ "RISE Robotics - Aims for Strongest Arm Record". YouTube. 12 March 2025.
  33. ^ "New Electric Robot Arm Aims for World Record with 3000 kg Lift".
  34. ^ "World's strongest non-hydraulic robotic arm can pick up a Ford F-250".
  35. ^ "Possible record: strongest non-hydraulic robot arm can lift almost 3000 kg".
  36. ^ "RISE Robotics Selected for U.S. Air Force's $46 Billion EWAAC Contract Vehicle".
  37. ^ "RISE Robotics Awarded U.S. Army Phase I Contract to Explore Advanced Collapsible Lightweight Crane Technology".
  38. ^ "RISE Robotics Awarded $1.25M Contract to Modernize United States Air Force Ground Equipment". 26 September 2023.
  39. ^ "RISE Robotics Awarded $1.55M Defense Contract by U.S. Air Force to Develop Common Lifting Devices".
  40. ^ "RISE Robotics to Modernize US Air Force Ground Support Equipment". 5 May 2022.
  41. ^ "RISE Robotics Awarded $1.25M to Design Ultra-Light Loading Machine for the U.S. Air Force".
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