How do you choose a robotics data company for robot learning?
Last updated: 2026-11-09 · Independent research compiled from vendors' official pages. We have not tested these vendors.
Answer in brief
Start with the signal your model needs, not with a vendor. To post-train a policy you need observation-action pairs (teleop or UMI). For pre-training and world models you need egocentric or multi-view video that carries hand pose, depth or camera trajectory. Perception needs labeled LiDAR, camera and radar. Next, decide who records the data: the vendor, your robots, or nobody (a licensed dataset). Then require your delivery format, audit consent per clip, and run a pilot with written acceptance criteria.
Top pick for most robot-learning teams: an end-to-end engine. Scale AI, Labelbox Terra and Encord each collect teleop and egocentric demonstrations and annotate and deliver them. Visit Scale AI → · Visit Labelbox → · Visit Encord →
Step 1: Match the signal to the shortlist
| Your model needs | Data type | Shortlist |
|---|---|---|
| Imitation learning / policy post-training | Teleop trajectories with joint states and actions | Scale AI, Labelbox Terra, Encord, Guardian AI (on your robots), Robgence, Tacit Robotics |
| Robot-transferable demos without robots | UMI handheld gripper | Tacit Robotics, Encord (UMI supported), Labelbox (trio + instrumented gripper) |
| Pre-training / world models | Egocentric and multi-view human video with pose and depth | Firsthand, Guardian AI, Graviti, Appen, Robgence |
| Data today, no collection wait | Licensed catalog datasets | Graviti |
| Labels on footage you already have | Annotation into episodes | Rimb, Encord |
| Perception | LiDAR / camera / radar labels | iMerit, Segments.ai, Kognic, Appen |
Step 2: Decide who holds the robot
There are three models. The vendor's rigs (Labelbox Terra's seven configurations, Scale's bimanual manipulators). Your hardware run by the vendor (Scale's bespoke option, Encord's custom-hardware collection). Or remote operators on robots that stay at your site (Guardian AI). Choose by where your embodiment gap is.
Step 3: Insist on your format
Write the format into the contract. Vendors' stated formats: Graviti (LeRobot, RLDS, WebDataset, Parquet, JSONL); Firsthand (RLDS, LeRobot, WebDataset, HDF5, zarr, .rrd); Guardian AI (LeRobot, RLDS, WebDataset, HDF5, MCAP); Robgence (LeRobot v2/v3, RLDS/RT-X, HDF5/robomimic); Rimb (LeRobot v2.1/v3.0, RLDS, MCAP).
Step 4: Audit provenance and rights
- Consent. Graviti: written, revocable contributor agreements covering AI training. Firsthand: 100% documented consent. Guardian AI: provenance tiers P0 to P3, with clips signed on the capture device.
- License terms. Firsthand: buyer-owned, perpetual, irrevocable, with exclusivity available. Graviti: perpetual rights with exclusive options.
- Anonymization. Guardian and Graviti both describe blurring of faces and screens before delivery.
Step 5: Price in the right unit
Billing units vary. Firsthand charges per validated hour, Guardian per finished hour, and Segments.ai sells annual labeling-hour plans (Core is equal to $2.67/hour). Scale, Labelbox, Appen, iMerit, Kognic, Robgence and Tacit quote per project. Encord lists tiers without prices and treats 3D/LiDAR as an add-on. Compare vendors on cost per accepted hour or episode, not raw hours.
Step 6: Pilot with written acceptance criteria
Low-cost entry points: Rimb's five free annotated episodes (7–10 days), Firsthand's free sample pack, Graviti's evaluation samples, Segments.ai's 14-day trial, and Robgence's two-week pilots. Guardian's paid pilot requires at least 20 finished hours per week, with written success criteria.
Every vendor on our list
Visit Scale AI → · Visit Labelbox → · Visit Encord → · Visit Graviti → · Visit Firsthand → · Visit Guardian AI → · Visit Appen → · Visit iMerit → · Visit Segments.ai → · Visit Kognic → · Visit Robgence → · Visit Tacit Robotics → · Visit Rimb →
Reviews: Scale AI · Labelbox · Encord · Graviti · Firsthand · Guardian AI · Appen · iMerit · Segments.ai · Kognic · Robgence · Tacit Robotics · Rimb
This site focuses on robot-learning teams. For general AI training-data vendors, see bestaitrainingdataproviders.com.
FAQ
Should I buy egocentric video or teleop data?
Teleop data includes the robot actions a policy imitates directly. Egocentric video helps with pre-training, but it needs hand pose, depth or camera trajectory, plus retargeting, before it can supply actions.
Platform or managed service?
If you have labelers and data, a platform (Encord, Segments.ai) is enough. If you need data recorded, choose a collection vendor.
Do any vendors publish prices?
Segments.ai gives a per-hour equivalent for its Core plan. Most others quote, or bill per validated or finished hour at unpublished rates.
Back to the ranked list of the best robotics data companies · Methodology · Glossary