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 January, early and late February, early and late March, and early and late April.
Bot Auto is an autonomous trucking company developing Level 4 (L4) self-driving trucks for long-haul freight transport. The company’s technology integrates multi-modal AI perception, sensor fusion, and predictive decision-making algorithms to navigate surface streets and complex highway environments safely and efficiently. The system also leverages low-maintenance mapping and real-time traffic modeling to enhance situational awareness and optimize route planning. It uses redundant safety mechanisms, including fail-safe braking, multiple-layered autonomy validation, and real-time remote monitoring, to ensure reliability in driverless operations. The company has already completed hub-to-hub autonomous truck runs in Houston and is preparing for driver-out pilot commercial deployment, with a focus on improving safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in the supply chain.
The company’s transportation-as-a-service (TaaS) pricing model allows freight customers to pay per mile for fully autonomous trucking services, eliminating the need for large capital investments in self-driving technology. This model offers a predictable cost structure while providing access to Bot Auto’s continuously improving software and fleet operations. Bot Auto also provides flexible contract terms, enabling shippers to scale their autonomous freight capacity as needed. Rather than selling self-driving trucks or licensing its technology to third parties, Bot Auto differentiates itself by acting as a direct transportation provider, handling everything from fleet management to vehicle maintenance.
“In the autonomous trucking industry, we've learned that owning and operating our fleet isn't just about technology control—it's about delivering real market value,” says Xiaodi Hou, CEO of Bot Auto. “It's not the elegance of our algorithms that ultimately matters, but whether we can move goods from point A to point B safely, on schedule, and at a competitive price. Our Transportation as a Service model gives us the capacity to fulfill these fundamental market needs while maintaining direct oversight of costs, safety protocols, and service reliability. This operational focus, rather than just technological innovation, is what will drive profitability and lasting success in this industry."
Tevel manufactures versatile, agile, and sophisticated robots to transform orchard agriculture. The company’s flying robots are small, agile, and cost-effective, and harvest fruit such as apples, nectarines, peaches, and pears. The drones launch from a base station to which they’re tethered, select only the ripe fruit from the tree, and carefully lower it for collection. Leveraging AI, computer vision, and machine learning, the robots can chart their routes in the orchard, assess a fruit’s ripeness, determine the best angle for access, and choose the optimal direction—clockwise or counterclockwise—for picking. As they harvest, they collect data on the weight and size of each fruit, color grading, disease detection, and total yield; the system then geostamps and timestamps the picking operation. The robots are controlled via a mobile app that analyzes collected data and offers growers insights into everything from pesticide effectiveness to irrigation optimization.
The company provides a number of pricing and operating options for its robots, including direct purchase, “picking-as-a-service” (with prices based on the number of robots required), and technology partnerships with local providers—for example, service providers that operate the equipment on behalf of the farmer. Under the latter two operating models, farmers can access the harvesting equipment without upfront capital investment. In the partnership model, revenue is shared between Tevel and the service provider, who gets paid per ton of fruit picked.
“Fruit that’s harvested even two weeks late has lost 80% of its value,” says Tevel CEO Yaniv Maor. “But robots can work 24/7 during the harvest. We offer a range of pricing models that include hardware sales and software fees with different ratios. The as-a-service model is offered in collaboration with a service provider and allows even the smallest farmers to access the hardware and data they need to address food shortages and stay competitive.”
Luminys Systems Corporation provides a suite of advanced security and intelligent building solutions, including AI-powered network cameras, network video recorders (NVRs), and integrated software to create a complete security ecosystem. The company’s cameras capture high-definition video with features like flashing lights, sound alarms, and enhanced night vision for 24/7 surveillance. Its NVRs offer AI-driven search functionality and long-distance power transmission, ensuring rapid identification and tracking across multiple camera feeds. Luminys complements its hardware with LumiCloud, a Video-Surveillance-as-a-Service (VSaaS) platform, which provides centralized, real-time monitoring and management. LumiCenter Video Management Software (VMS) and LumiAnalytics provide object tracking, predictive insights, and data analytics such as people counting and behavior analysis.
Luminys utilizes a hybrid business model, offering both hardware sales and subscription-based services through a device-as-a-service (DaaS) approach. Customers can purchase AI-enabled cameras and NVRs, which integrate with the LumiCloud for advanced features like scalable cloud storage, mobile access, and real-time alerts. The subscription model supports ongoing services, including analytics and software updates, ensuring continuous system optimization. This approach enables clients to scale their security solutions while managing costs predictably—whether through upfront investments or monthly operating expenses.
AeroSafe Global
AeroSafe Global provides cold chain solutions tailored for the biopharmaceutical, specialty pharmacy, and medical device industries, ensuring that temperature-sensitive products are delivered safely and sustainably. The company’s services encompass the design, implementation, and distribution of thermal-controlled solutions, utilizing high-performance insulation to create smaller and lighter proprietary packaging. This approach not only maintains the integrity of pharmaceutical products during transit but also contributes to environmental sustainability. Additionally, AeroSafe’s advanced data analytics and real-time monitoring capabilities help clients proactively manage risks and optimize supply chain efficiency. AeroSafe owns the entire supply chain—from packaging and thermal monitoring to delivery, product efficacy, and environmental sustainability.
The company offers a reusable thermal container program known as AeroLoop. This program—part of its “cold-chain-as-a-service” (CCaaS) model—operates on a pay-per-turn basis, allowing clients to pay only for the containers they use, eliminating upfront costs and long-term commitments. This flexible model is designed to accommodate the varying needs of AeroSafe’s clients. Each CCaaS contract includes AeroSafe’s thermal packaging, outsourced supply chain management, and a temperature monitoring control tower, ensuring seamless delivery from manufacturer to end-user. By shifting from single-use packaging to a managed reuse program, AeroSafe helps biopharma companies lower operational costs while significantly reducing waste and carbon emissions.
Oceaneering Mobile Robotics
Oceaneering Mobile Robotics (OMR) supplies turnkey automated guided vehicle (AGV) systems to the logistics and manufacturing industries. OMR’s robotics fleet includes the MaxMover CB D 2000, an autonomous counterbalance forklift for warehouses, distribution centers, and assembly lines; the UniMover O 600, an underride robot developed for space-constrained light industrial and healthcare applications; and the CompactMover FOL U 1200, designed to replace conventional electric pallet stackers. The hardware is powered by OMR’s Supervisory Software, which leverages cloud computing, machine learning, and big data technologies to provide operators with a streamlined view of material handling data, enabling smarter decisions on the production floor.
The company offers its end-to-end solution under a hardware-as-a-service (HaaS) business and pricing model. Contracts include the robots and supporting software, installation, on-site systems-integration services and training, and 24/7 support. OMR maintains ownership of the robots, and their Lifecycle Services program ensures the performance, continuity, and maintenance of the AGVs for the duration of their life cycle.