Specialty

Robotics + Autonomous Systems

Working with established enterprises and emerging startups in navigating the complex legal and regulatory landscape surrounding robotics technology and autonomous systems

Full-Service Support: From Concept to Commercialization

As robotics technologies continue to advance, legal issues surrounding their development deployment, and commercialization are becoming increasingly complex. Our firm is at the forefront of this dynamic industry, with a dedicated team possessing extensive experience advising clients on the full spectrum legal and regulatory challenges unique to robotics. Our team is adept at crafting intellectual property strategies tailored to the specific needs of robotics companies, ensuring robust protection and strategic advantage in a competitive marketplace.

Our cross-disciplinary robotics team combines legal and technical expertise in areas such as mechanical engineering, software, networking, control systems, artificial intelligence and machine learning integration, sensor and actuator technologies, human-robot interaction, data privacy and cybersecurity, product liability, safety compliance, and supply chain management, enabling us to thoroughly understand your business and provide comprehensive counsel. We closely track developments in the sector to keep clients up-to-date on critical legal issues.

Our robotics team has representative intellectual property experience developing and prosecuting portfolios of patents in the areas of automated vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), service sector robots, artificial intelligence (AI) guided vision systems, collaborative and industrial robotic arms, autonomous mobile robots, sensor fusion and perception systems, robotic process automation, machine learning algorithms for robotics applications, human-robot interaction technologies, medical and surgical robotics, robotic exoskeletons and assistive devices, as well as advanced navigation and mapping systems.

Areas of Focus

Foley Hoag’s cross-disciplinary team provides end-to-end legal counsel for clients in the robotics industry, supporting every stage, from initial concept to successful commercialization.

We help clients build, manage, and monetize robust patent portfolios, leveraging our technical backgrounds to maximize IP value and protection.

Our team guides clients through entityformation, structuring, and ongoing governance, supporting growth from startup to exit and every milestone in between.

We represent clients in a wide range of disputes, including intellectual property litigation involving standard essential patents (SEPs), trade secrets, and other complex matters.

We draft and negotiate a wide range of robotics-related contracts, such as R&D agreements, vendor and supplier contracts, robotics as a service (RaaS) agreements, technology licensing deals, and joint development agreements.

Our attorneys advise on venture capital and private equity transactions, as well as government and private grants applications and compliance, helping our clients secure the resources needed for growth.

We help clients identify and mitigate risks associated with robotics products, develop safety protocols to minimize liability exposure. We litigate product liability cases when necessary.

We advise on compliance with industry-specific regulations, including safety standards, export controls, and data privacy laws relevant to robotics and AI.

We counsel our clients on the collection, use, and protection of data generated by robotics systems, including compliance with global privacy frameworks and cybersecurity best practices.

We provide guidance on legal issues related to the integration of AI and machine learning in robotics, including algorithm transparency, bias mitigation, and ethical considerations.

We support clients with supply chain management, manufacturing agreements, and international trade issues specific to robotics hardware and components.

We advice on workforce matters, including the impact of robotics and automation on employment, workplace safety, and labor relations.

Engaging with policymakers and regulatory bodies to advocate for clients’ interests and shape the evolving legal landscape for robotics.

Resource Center: Robotics & The Law

A practical guide to the legal issues facing robotics and AI companies. Covers patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, open-source licensing, data privacy, and managing IP risks in AI development — with real-world examples from the industry. Written by Foley Hoag attorneys who combine legal experience with technical backgrounds in engineering, AI, and software.

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