HaaS 100 (early September 2025)

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 May, early and late June, early and late July, and early and late August.

Robust.AI

• Founded date: 2019
• Location: San Carlos, California
• Employees: ~60
• What they do: Collaborative mobile robotics for warehouse and manufacturing automation
• Key customers: DHL
• Website: robust.ai

Robust.AI builds Carter, a collaborative, AI-powered mobile robot designed for warehouse and manufacturing environments. Unlike traditional autonomous robots, Carter is built to work with people—offering both full autonomy and intuitive manual override via a force-sensitive handlebar. Its unique hardware features include a patented holonomic drive for multidirectional movement, camera-based vSLAM for intelligent mapping, a put-to-light LED system, and built-in barcode scanning. Carter supports flexible workflows for picking, putaway, sortation, and point-to-point transport, helping organizations reduce walking time, optimize floor space, and improve overall throughput.

Robust.AI offers Carter under a subscription-based pricing model with no upfront capital expenditure (CapEx). Customers pay an ongoing fee that bundles hardware, software, and support, allowing them to scale robotics infrastructure without the burden of large upfront investments. This robot-as-a-service (RaaS) approach helps streamline procurement, improve ROI transparency, and ensure continual updates and support as workflows evolve. The all-in-one model is particularly attractive to mid-sized logistics operators and 3PLs looking to pilot automation quickly and cost-effectively.

“Warehouses are dynamic environments, and delivering value in that setting means building robots that work for people, not the other way around,” said Anthony Jules, co-founder and CEO of Robust AI. “That’s exactly why we built Carter. It is a truly collaborative mobile robot that integrates seamlessly into existing workflows on the warehouse floor, enhancing productivity without disruption. The RaaS model is customer-first by design, which aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver value from day one.”

AutoStore

• Founded date: 1995
• Location: Derry, New Hampshire (HQ in Nedre Vats, Norway)
• Employees: ~820
• What they do: Robotic systems for high-efficiency warehouse storage and order fulfillment
• Key customers: PUMA, Gucci, ASDA, Bosch, DHL, Texas Instruments
• Website: autostoresystem.com

AutoStore builds automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) to optimize warehouse operations. Their systems feature a modular grid structure that maximizes storage density by stacking bins vertically in a compact footprint. The company’s fleet of energy-efficient robots operates on top of the grid, retrieving and delivering bins to workstations. The robots run in the dark and work independently, leveraging regenerative technology and precise routing algorithms to ensure speed, accuracy, and system reliability. Among AutoStore’s latest innovations is its Multi-Temperature Solution, which allows multiple temperature zones within a single grid to accommodate both frozen and chilled products. Supporting the hardware is a comprehensive software suite that enables real-time monitoring, performance optimization, and seamless multi-site operation capabilities. Each system is tailored to customer needs and validated using simulation software.

In 2023, AutoStore introduced a pay-per-pick service model designed to make the company’s technology more accessible and adaptable. The pricing structure involves an upfront investment in the grid infrastructure—typically 20-40% of the total system cost—followed by a recurring subscription fee based on order volume. The subscription covers the use of robots, ports, and software, enabling customers to scale their automation efforts as their business needs evolve. This model is particularly advantageous for businesses aiming to reduce large capital expenditures while maintaining flexibility to adapt to seasonal demand and growth. With minimal energy consumption and the ability to seamlessly expand the grid, the pay-per-pick model offers a cost-effective, sustainable solution for modern warehouses.

Swiftlane

• Founded date: 2019
• Location: San Francisco, California
• Employees: ~30
• What they do: Touchless access control and smart security solutions
• Key customers: Cornerstone, Laramar, Brookfield Properties, Beacon Management Services
• Website: swiftlane.com

Swiftlane provides a cloud-based access control and security platform designed to streamline and modernize building entry. Their system integrates hardware and software, combining facial recognition, mobile credentials, video intercom, and visitor PINs to create a seamless access experience for multifamily buildings, offices, and commercial properties. Swiftlane’s flagship hardware, the SwiftReader, enables touchless access using AI-powered facial recognition, while its cloud platform allows property managers to oversee permissions, monitor entry logs, and manage access from anywhere. The company also offers RentGPT, an AI leasing assistant that automates tenant inquiries, further enhancing property management efficiency.

The company’s pricing model is structured around a hardware-plus-subscription approach, in which customers purchase or lease access control devices and subscribe to an ongoing cloud-based service. This hybrid model includes software updates, remote management tools, security enhancements, and customer support, ensuring continuous improvements without the need for on-site maintenance. By shifting from traditional capital expenditures to an operating expense model, Swiftlane allows property managers and businesses to deploy modern security infrastructure with minimal upfront investment. The company also provides flexible financing and leasing options to accommodate various budget constraints.

ULC Technologies

• Founded date: 2001
• Location: Hauppauge, New York
• Employees: ~100
• What they do: Robotic inspection and repair technologies
• Key customers: PG&E, Con Edison, SGN
• Website: ulctechnologies.com

ULC Technologies develops and deploys advanced robotics and AI solutions for the utility, energy, renewables, and industrial sectors. The company’s extensive range of products includes CISBOT, which injects sealant into live gas mains to repair and prevent leaks; X-ID Cross Bore Detection, which utilizes an acoustic sensor to detect and locate unintentional intersections of underground utility lines, a cable splicing machine that automates cable end preparation while minimizing worker exposure to high voltages, and the PRX250, a live gas main camera inspection system. Ultimately, the company’s bespoke solutions help companies inspect, map, maintain, and repair their pipelines, assets, and critical infrastructure.

ULC provides its technology through a robots-as-a-service (RaaS) model, allowing customers to convert capital expenses into operational ones while generating recurring revenue for the company. Instead of purchasing the robots, customers pay for the service based on operational needs, ensuring flexible deployment and cost-efficiency. Contracts include ongoing support and maintenance alongside the hardware and software.

Xpanner

• Founded date: 2020
• Location: Santa Fe Springs, California
• Employees: ~40
• What they do: Integrated smart construction solutions
• Customers: General, specialty, and solar farm contractors in the construction industry
• Website: xpanner.com

Xpanner provides automation and robotics solutions tailored to address the productivity and labor challenges of “shovel-meets-dirt tasks” in the construction industry. The company’s offerings include hardware retrofits that transform existing construction equipment into advanced, automation-ready machines, as well as proprietary software that streamlines tasks like piling, trenching, and grading. These solutions enable operators to perform complex tasks quickly and accurately while allowing supervisors to manage sites more effectively with real-time monitoring tools. By integrating smart construction technology into equipment of any brand or type, Xpanner improves productivity, reduces costs, and accelerates project timelines. Their focus extends to both general construction and specialized projects like solar farm development, where their Solar Piling Solution package offers efficiency for site preparation and installation.

Xpanner’s "technology-as-a-service" (TaaS) approach transforms how construction companies adopt and utilize automation solutions. TaaS is a version of hardware-as-a-service (HaaS), in which hardware is a central—but not the only—component of a larger as-a-service ecosystem. Xpanner’s end-to-end solution includes pre-installed, automation-ready equipment, task-specific automation software, and a remote Automation Command Center for real-time data monitoring and software deployment. Contracts also feature field support from expert engineers who assist throughout the project lifecycle, from site preparation to execution.