Physical AI – Partner Matching

Physical AI is one of the fastest-growing technology fields in the world. It enables machines, devices, robots and other physical systems to perceive their environment, make decisions and operate with a higher degree of autonomy.

Espoo is working together with Sitra, other major cities, companies, VTT, Business Finland and other partners to accelerate the development of physical AI nationally. The aim is to identify new market opportunities, build collaboration between companies, and speed up the development of new products, services and business based on physical AI.

The goal is to identify Finland’s next commercial breakthroughs in physical AI and build new products, business partnerships and international growth around them.

We are particularly looking for companies that have:

• a business or technology challenge to solve
• new technology or expertise that could help solve challenges faced by other companies
• a promising physical AI product or service concept
• a need to assess the market and growth potential of a new solution
• an interest in finding partners for piloting, product development or commercialisation

The aim is not simply to create networks or prepare projects. We want to identify solutions with genuine business potential and opportunities to grow in national or international markets.

Espoo offers an exceptional environment for developing physical AI. The Otaniemi innovation hub is home to more than 1,500 high-tech companies and research organisations, as well as world-class expertise in areas such as semiconductors, microelectronics, quantum technologies and other technologies that enable physical AI.

Physical AI solutions are rarely developed by one company alone. They combine hardware, sensors, software, data and artificial intelligence, which means that both strong technology expertise and real-world operating environments are needed. In Espoo, these can be found within the same ecosystem.

Espoo’s particular competitive advantage lies in its strong combination of technologies that are essential for physical AI: semiconductors, microelectronics, sensors, photonics, edge computing and AI expertise. Together, these capabilities make it possible to develop new smart products, autonomous systems and internationally competitive physical AI solutions.

In Espoo, defence and dual-use technologies, smart urban environments, health technology and new industrial solutions offer particularly strong opportunities for applying physical AI. Collaboration between companies, research organisations, cities and funders helps identify the most promising use cases and accelerate their development into pilots, products and international business.

Physical AI used in machines and devices is one of the fastest-developing and most strategically significant technology fields globally. Physical AI refers to the use of artificial intelligence in robots, machines and other physical systems. It enables systems to perceive their environment, process information and make decisions as part of physical operations, for example in industry, logistics, robotics, smart urban environments and health technology.

Partner Matching may be relevant to your company if:

• you have a machine, device or system that you would like to operate more autonomously
• your product collects data that could be used in smarter ways
• you are looking for new technologies or expertise to develop your business
• you want to build a new physical AI product or add a physical AI feature to an existing solution
• you want to assess whether investing in the development of a specific physical AI solution makes business sense

If your company has a machine, device or system that could potentially perceive its environment, collect valuable data, learn from it and operate partly or fully autonomously, it may be worth exploring its development potential together with us.

Are you looking for new technology, expertise or a partner for a need that does not yet have a ready-made solution? Partner Matching can offer you:

• relevant technologies and expertise
• new pilot and development partners
• connections to companies, research organisations and test environments
• insights into market potential and commercial opportunities
• connections to funders and business development organisations

Do you have technology, a product or expertise that could help solve real business challenges? Partner Matching can offer you:

• new partnerships
• pilot and reference customers
• opportunities to develop solutions for real-world needs
• connections to large companies, research organisations and investor networks
• new business and growth opportunities

1. We identify challenges and opportunities
   We map companies’ needs, technologies and development ideas.
2. We bring the right organisations together
   In workshops, companies, experts and research organisations work together to develop new physical AI solutions and partnerships.
3. We assess the business potential
   Together, we explore market opportunities, piloting options and the conditions for growth.
4. We accelerate implementation 
   The most promising ideas may move forward into pilots, new products, research and development projects, or commercial collaboration.

You do not need to have a ready-made solution or project to take part. It is enough to have identified an interesting challenge or business opportunity.

Between October 2026 and March 2027, we will organise workshops related to Espoo’s focus sectors. A limited number of suitable companies will be invited to take part. Participants should be prepared to discuss their development ideas openly and confidentially.

Sign up here(external link, opens in a new window).

Join us for virtual coffee to hear more and discuss the topic with us. You can join the session via this Teams link(external link, opens in a new window). No advance registration is required.

Contact our experts to learn more about accelerating physical AI in Espoo.

You can also find more information about the national physical AI acceleration initiative on the Sitra website.(external link, opens in a new window)