IHMC partners with Conduit Venture Labs to accelerate commercialization efforts

The Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition (IHMC) has entered into a strategic partnership with Conduit Venture Labs, a venture studio leader in venture creation and deep-tech commercialization in physical artificial intelligence, the acceleration and commercialization of frontier technologies emerging from IHMC’s research.

The engagement is designed to broaden IHMC’s real-world impact across defense and commercial markets while creating new pathways for revenue generation to support IHMC’s long-term research mission to advance and elevate the human condition.

IHMC has pioneered advancements in exoskeletons, human-machine teaming, embodied AI, and physical system intelligence. Through this partnership, Conduit will apply its venture-building methodology to evaluate commercialization pathways for select technologies, with strategies spanning direct licensing to new venture creation.

Dr. Morley Stone, IHMC’s chief executive officer, says the collaboration furthers the Institute’s commitment to advancing the frontier of human and machine teaming performance.

“To continue pushing that frontier, we must pair world-class research with world-class commercialization. Conduit brings the expertise needed to translate our breakthroughs into real-world impact and meaningful market outcomes,” Stone says.

A convergence of factors is driving the critical need for commercialization in physical AI — the fusion of software intelligence with embodied systems such as robots, wearables, autonomous platforms, and sensing interfaces. These technologies are rapidly becoming essential tools for national security, industrial efficiency, and human performance. At the same time global markets increasingly demand that government-enabled breakthroughs scale into commercial deployment.

Conduit Venture Labs is one of the few venture studios purpose-built to commercialize physical technology at scale, integrating product readiness, dual-use strategy, venture market discipline, and deep technical networks across industry, government, and capital markets.

The partnership underscores the growing importance of commercialization-first venture studios capable of turning research-driven physical technologies into durable, venture-backed companies and high-value licensing pathways.

“Breakthrough science deserves a pathway to scale,” says Susan Paley, head of commercialization for Conduit Venture Labs. “IHMC’s research is shaping how humans and intelligent systems interact. Together, we’re building the commercialization channels that ensure these innovations reach operators, industries, and civilians where they can make the greatest impact.”

By aligning scientific leadership with venture-grade commercialization, IHMC and Conduit are advancing a “better together” model that preserves research excellence while unlocking sustainable market pathways that expand both the societal and economic value of discovery.

IHMC is a not-for-profit research institute of the State of Florida where researchers pioneer science and technology aimed at leveraging and extending human capabilities. IHMC researchers and staff collaborate extensively with the government, industry and academia to help develop breakthrough technologies. IHMC research partners have included: DARPA, NASA, Army, Navy, Air Force, National Institutes of Health, IBM, Microsoft, Honda, Boeing, Lockheed, the National Science Foundation and many others.