Robotics Startup Chooses Woburn For New Headquarters

From Cummings Properties: Root AI is relocating from an incubator at Somerville’s Greentown Labs to a 5,000-square-foot facility in Woburn. The robotics and agricultural tech company is expected to move in July to 78 Olympia Avenue, a Cummings Properties building.

Founded by graduates of MIT, University of Pennsylvania, and Brown University, Root AI develops intelligent farming robots that can determine when fruit is ripe and then use patent-pending grippers to pick the fruit without leaving a mark.

Cummings Properties leasing officer Steve Cusano worked with Ryan Knopf, co-founder and CTO of Root AI, on the lease, which includes a mix of office and R&D space. The startup expects to expand its staff from eight to 20–25 employees over the next few years, according to Knopf.

“Root AI was ready to graduate from an incubator to a larger space of its own, but could not find what they needed in Somerville at a price that worked,” said Cusano. “Our Woburn location allows this rapidly expanding company to save on rent and dedicate more resources to growth while remaining close to Boston.”

Root AI joins a cluster of technology companies—including agricultural tech firm Agrivida and robotic truck developer Balyo—at 78 Olympia Avenue.

Cummings Properties manages a portfolio of 10 million square feet of commercial space in 11 suburban communities north and west of Boston. Most of these properties, including 78 Olympia Avenue, are owned by Cummings Foundation, with 100 percent of all rental profits supporting hundreds of local charities. The Cummings organization awards $25 million annually to greater Boston nonprofits, and it has awarded more than a quarter-billion dollars to date. More information is available at www.cummings.com.