FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AIRA Expands to Portland, Joins Oregon UAS Accelerator's Fall 2026 Cohort
Robotics-as-a-service company enters the Pacific Northwest, positioning Oregon as its North American manufacturing and defense-compliance hub
PORTLAND, OR. — August 10, 2026— AIRA, the UK-based robotics-as-a-service company deploying general-purpose robots for manufacturing, today announced its expansion into Portland, Oregon, and its acceptance into the Oregon UAS Accelerator's Fall 2026 Cohort, a 12-week program supporting advanced robotics and autonomous systems companies.
The move marks AIRA's formal entry into the U.S. market under AIRA USA INC., with Joanna Gough serving as Interim CEO for the Americas. AIRA has established its U.S. headquarters at Portland State University,Suite 208, 2130 SW 5th Ave, in downtown Portland — a decision driven by the state's growing advanced manufacturing and defense-compliance ecosystem and its positioning ahead of a future venture capital raise.
AIRA deploys mobile, general-purpose robots for machine tending, assembly fixturing, and material handling — matching or beating customer labor costs, deploying on production lines in weeks, and billing monthly for work delivered rather than requiring capital equipment purchases. The company’s founder and Global CEO, Tom Lipinski has spent decades putting robots to work in industrial settings, with clients including Lear Corporation, a major global automotive supplier.
"Portland sits at the intersection of everything AIRA needs for this next phase — a serious advanced manufacturing base, a defense-compliance ecosystem, and a state that's actively investing in autonomous systems through programs like the UAS Accelerator," said Joanna Gough, Interim CEO for the Americas at AIRA. "Physical AI isn't a future story anymore — it's already running production lines for AIRA clients like Lear Corporation, today. The labor gap in manufacturing isn't closing on its own, and the companies that solve it will be the ones that get robots onto the floor fastest, not the ones with the flashiest demo. Robust, reliable deployment of robots is the thesis we're building AIRA USA around, and Portland, Oregon is where we are based."
The Oregon UAS Accelerator cohort will support AIRA as it builds out its U.S. go-to-market strategy, deepens relationships with regional manufacturers, and explores opportunities in defense-adjacent and advanced manufacturing applications, including potential partnerships supporting new U.S. copper smelting and refining capacity.
About AIRA AIRA is a robotics-as-a-service company that deploys general-purpose robots into manufacturing environments, helping companies scale production without the cost or risk of traditional capital equipment purchases or hiring. AIRA's clients include Lear Corporation in the automotive sector. Founded in the UK, AIRA is now expanding into North America, with its U.S. headquarters based at Suite 208, 2130 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR. Learn more at aira.site.