The 2 next big things from long-established companies for 2026

In the world of business, innovation often brings its own set of challenges, even for established companies with decades of history. Those who have spent 15 or more years in the industry must navigate the complexities of their existing operations, culture, and product lines, which can both help and hinder progress. Despite these hurdles, some companies have managed to drive forward by leveraging advanced technologies.

This year, Fast Company has honored DeWalt and August Robotics as two of the most promising innovators in tech for 2026.

DeWalt and August Robotics have developed a solution to streamline the construction process by using fleets of robots to handle physically demanding tasks. By collaborating with both humans and machines, these robots can drill concrete up to 10 times faster than traditional methods, reducing construction times by 190 weeks across 26 major projects. This robot fleet approach not only boosts efficiency but also highlights the potential for robots to work alongside their human counterparts.

On the other side of the tech spectrum, Synaptics has made strides in bringing real-time intelligence to devices through an open-source model. Best known for pioneering touchpad technology 30 years ago, Synaptics has now created the Astra platform. This real-time AI intelligence can be integrated into various devices, including factory equipment, medical devices, home appliances, and retail systems.

At Google's developer conference, Synaptics showcased how an Astra-powered development board, equip with Google's Coral NPU, could generate real-time music based on the tracked movement of jellyfish. This innovative use of edge-based AI demonstrates the untapped potential of bringing intelligence to devices directly, rather than relying on cloud-based solutions.