Hardware-as-a-service (HaaS) is gaining momentum across a variety of industries. Many of the early adopters of HaaS are in robotics, offering robots-as-a-service (RaaS) to decrease barriers to entry and improve overall value to customers. Others offer machine-as-a-service (MaaS), device-as-a-service (DaaS), or equipment-as-a-service (EaaS).
Some companies pitch outcomes more than assets, offering data-as-a-service or platform-as-a-service models. From network-as-a-service to facades cleaning; managed service providers (MSPs) to managed security service providers (MSSPs); and autonomous construction equipment to diagnostic sensors and 3D printers, these companies are on the cutting-edge of their fields.
This post is part of a series about modern hardware companies, their business models, and the future of HaaS. For more, see posts from early and late August, early and late September, early and late October, and early November.
Path Robotics manufactures the AF-1 cell, which picks, fits, and welds small parts from start to finish; and the AW-3 cell for finish-welding of larger parts. The hardware runs on the company’s proprietary AI and computer vision-based system, The PathOS, which enables the hardware to scan and understand parts, generate a plan in real-time, and weld without the need for human oversight or intervention—let alone skilled welders or programmers. Advanced sensing coupled with machine learning enables the robots to adjust their approach depending on the properties of the material they’re working with. As the cells work, they continuously self-monitor to meet stringent quality standards and learn. Path’s customers are in the transportation, manufacturing, construction, infrastructure, agriculture, and mining industries.
Path’s cells are one component of a larger robots-as-a-service (RaaS) offering. Customers pay a recurring subscription fee for access to the robots, automatic hardware and software updates, and 24/7 production assistance from the company’s Mission Control command center. Customers have the flexibility to scale up or down when their business needs change, and agreements can be as short as 24 months.
“The U.S. alone is experiencing a shortage of 400,000 skilled welders,” says Andy Lonsberry, CEO. “By adopting a RaaS model, we make automation more accessible to fill those labor gaps, while mitigating financial risk for our customers. Customers experience both short- and long-term savings, as well as faster deployments. The subscription model just makes sense for fostering stronger partnerships with our customers and keeping the latest technology on their floor.”
Voltpost is democratizing EV charging access by retrofitting lamp posts into modular charging stations. The system consists of four aluminum-enclosed quadrants mounted onto the lamp post that leverage the existing conduit for electricity. Taking advantage of existing infrastructure allows the hardware to be installed in less than an hour, unlike the extensive permitting and lengthy construction processes that EV chargers typically require. Car-owners can access real-time availability and make advance reservations via the company’s app, where they can also track charging remotely, pay based on electricity consumption, and get insights on financial and environmental savings. Voltpost’s Charge Station Management System (CSMS) monitors charger performance and provides charging analytics to the city governments and utilities companies that make up the company’s customer base.
Voltpost bundles its hardware, software, warranty, and maintenance costs into a single subscription fee under a hardware-as-a-service (HaaS) model. Even as municipalities pay the contracted annual fee, they can decide how they want to charge EV drivers, offsetting that fee and allowing them to meet their revenue goals. Meanwhile, the HaaS model provides Voltpost with recurring revenue and addresses the issue of charging deserts—particularly among underserved and disadvantaged neighborhoods.
“Sales of electric vehicles are climbing, but they could be climbing faster,” says Founder and CEO Jeff Prosserman. “Concerns over charging access and battery longevity are the biggest hurdles for those thinking about purchasing electric vehicles. Because the financial barrier to entry is lower with a HaaS model than it is with a capex model, HaaS helps cities bring EV charging to everyday locations. It’s a pricing model that’s helping the future of electric vehicles evolve.”
Locus Robotics manufactures autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for fulfillment warehouses. With solutions for picking, putaway, transport, and mezzanine management, Locus optimizes warehouse productivity. The company’s two primary robots are Locus Origin, designed for collaborative high-volume order fulfillment, and Locus Vector, designed for high-productivity materials handling. Both are powered by LocusOne, the company’s warehouse orchestration platform.
Locus’ robots-as-a-service (RaaS) model is a subscription-based program that delivers a faster time-to-value with a smaller total investment. The all-in price tag is approximately $35,000 per robot, or customers can opt for a hardware subscription in which they pay based on the number of tasks a robot completes. The RaaS model also means that Locus—rather than the customer—does the heavy lifting. A subscription includes deployment; integration with preexisting warehouse systems; maintenance; and ongoing monitoring, reporting, and analytics.
TRACTIAN builds sensors for condition monitoring and energy management, and a software platform for asset management. Factory or plant operators connect TRACTIAN’s sensors to their assets; installation is non-invasive and takes a matter of minutes. Smart Trac Ultra uses AI to monitor vibration, temperature, runtime, and RPM data to detect and diagnose machine issues before they become critical. Energy Trac sensors track energy consumption and costs by sector, asset, or shift to identify opportunities for efficiency. Working alongside its hardware, TRACTIAN’s proprietary CMMS serves up automated reports and supports work order and inventory management, maintenance scheduling and strategy, labor allocation, and more. Customers are in industries such as food and beverage, automotive, oil and gas, consumer goods, and facilities management.
The company offers its sensors under a hybrid hardware-as-a-service (HaaS) pricing model: Customers purchase the sensors outright and then pay recurring fees for the software. (The sensors cost $90 each and the software costs $60 per month per sensor.) According to TRACTIAN, the pricing model allows the service to pay for itself in less than two months.
House of Design Robotics provides advanced automated robotic solutions for building component and offsite construction companies. The company’s “BUILT to BUILD” product line includes an automated material delivery (AMD) series, which embeds nail plates on truss members and seamlessly delivers them to a truss table that conveys them to an existing table. Other solutions include automated preplate systems, floor and roof truss systems, panel framing, wall panel production, and automated factories to support the existing workforce.
The company’s robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) model allows customers to avoid sizable capital investments and use those funds for other projects. Customers access House of Design’s equipment for a fixed monthly fee.