HaaS 100 (late April 2026)

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 April.

Kraken Robotics

• Founded: 2012
• Location: Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
• Employees: ~310
• What they do: Advanced marine technology for defense, offshore energy, and scientific exploration
• Customers: Defense agencies, offshore energy firms, and subsea survey operators worldwide
• Website: krakenrobotics.com

Kraken Robotics develops high-performance underwater robotics, synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) systems, and subsea power solutions that deliver ultra-high-resolution imaging and intelligence for naval, energy, and research applications. Its portfolio includes the KATFISH intelligent towfish system, SeaPower pressure-tolerant batteries, and high-definition imaging sensors that map, inspect, and monitor the ocean floor. Together, these solutions form a tightly integrated hardware-and-software ecosystem built to increase visibility, safety, and efficiency in deep-water operations.

The company’s hybrid business model combines capital equipment sales with growing Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) contracts. Customers can purchase systems outright for fleet deployment or engage Kraken for turnkey subsea surveys, data collection, and analytics delivered as a service. This approach lets clients access advanced robotic capabilities and real-time subsea intelligence without committing to full hardware ownership, all while enabling Kraken to generate steady, recurring revenue through data services, survey operations, and long-term support. In 2025, service and RaaS revenue grew more than 180% year over year, underscoring the company's shift toward recurring contracts.

“RaaS enhances robotics efficiency and removes the upfront acquisition costs of expensive hardware and software,” said Karl Kenny, formerly Kraken’s President and CEO. Kraken’s RaaS enables customers to incorporate the robotic capabilities they need when they need them, upgrade or downgrade systems as requirements change and deploy robotics without the necessary costs required by more traditional robotics implementations.”

Stratasys

• Founded: 1989
• Location: Eden Prairie, Minnesota
• Employees: ~1,900
• What they do: Industrial 3D printing systems, materials, and digital manufacturing software
• Key customers: Boeing, Medtronic, General Motors, Siemens
• Website: stratasys.com

Stratasys makes industrial-grade 3D printing systems and digital manufacturing solutions for the aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and consumer goods industries. The company’s product portfolio spans polymer-based additive manufacturing platforms—such as the FDM, SAF, and PolyJet printer lines—along with the materials, software, and workflow automation tools that support them. Customers can either outsource production through Stratasys Direct Manufacturing or operate printers in-house, depending on their volume, application, and supply-chain needs. This dual approach allows Stratasys to serve both high-throughput manufacturing and specialized prototyping at scale.

The company operates on a hybrid recurring sales model, combining traditional printer sales with recurring revenue from consumables, service contracts, and software. Printers are typically sold as capital equipment, while consumables (such as proprietary resins and thermoplastics) generate consistent, high-margin recurring income. Service and maintenance agreements add further predictability. Stratasys’ software suite and remote connectivity tools enhance this model by integrating monitoring, design management, and production analytics across fleets of printers. Together, these layers provide a blend of capital and subscription revenue that supports scalability and resilience even in cyclical markets.

Avride

• Founded: 2023 (spun out from Yandex Self-Driving Group)
• Location: Austin, Texas
• Employees: ~260
• What they do: Autonomous vehicles and delivery robots
• Key customers: Uber, Grubhub
• Website: avride.ai

Avride develops autonomous vehicles and delivery robots that share a common AI-driven perception and navigation platform. The company’s self-driving cars, retrofitted from Hyundai Ioniq 5 models, integrate lidar, radar, and multiple cameras for high-precision urban navigation. Alongside its robotaxi fleet, Avride builds sidewalk delivery robots capable of safely crossing streets, managing crosswalks and traffic lights, and operating in all weather conditions. Together, these systems demonstrate Avride’s full-stack autonomy approach: combining custom-built sensors, onboard compute, and mapping intelligence across both passenger and logistics applications.

The company operates under a hybrid commercial model, generating revenue through fleet deployments, delivery partnerships, and software-enabled services rather than direct hardware sales. Avride’s robots and vehicles are deployed under commercial contracts with partners like Uber Eats, Grubhub, and Uber’s forthcoming robotaxi network, where Avride retains and operates its fleet as part of a shared service ecosystem. The company’s business structure blends CapEx-funded assets with recurring, service-based revenue streams tied to vehicle uptime and performance.

Cartken

• Founded: 2019
• Location: Oakland, California
• Employees: ~40
• What they do: Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for delivery and industrial logistics
• Key customers: Uber Eats, Magna International, Grubhub, campus and enterprise logistics operators
• Website: cartken.com

Cartken designs and deploys autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) that operate seamlessly both indoors and outdoors to automate last-mile delivery, material transport, and on-site logistics. Its fleet includes the Cartken Hauler, a heavy-duty outdoor AMR with a 660 lb (300 kg) payload and 16+ hour runtime, and the Cartken Courier, a compact, agile delivery robot ideal for lightweight and secure transport. A temperature-controlled version of the Hauler supports sensitive deliveries such as pharmaceuticals and lab materials, while the upcoming Cartken Mover—an autonomous pallet truck capable of carrying up to 3,300 lbs (1,500 kg)—expands automation into industrial material handling. Each model integrates Cartken’s AI-powered navigation and fleet-management software, enabling autonomous mapping, teleoperation, and real-time analytics for scalable, flexible logistics automation.

The company operates on a full Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, in which customers pay on a subscription or pay-for-usage basis rather than purchasing the robots outright. The RaaS offering bundles hardware, software, and service into a turnkey package: Cartken retains ownership of the robots, handles maintenance and updates, and delivers continuous improvements through its AI software. This structure eliminates upfront CapEx for customers, reduces operational friction, and ensures ongoing access to the latest hardware and software capabilities. Manufacturing is scaled through a partnership with Magna International, enabling Cartken to rapidly deploy fleets for enterprise and industrial clients globally.

LionsBot

• Founded: 2018
• Location: Singapore
• Employees: ~150
• What they do: Autonomous cleaning robots powered by AI and cloud-based fleet management
• Customers: Facilities management firms, hospitals, airports, shopping malls, universities, and municipal cleaning operations across 30+ countries
• Website: lionsbot.com

LionsBot designs, manufactures, and operates autonomous cleaning robots that combine physical performance with intelligent coordination. The company’s portfolio includes models like the R3 Scrub Pro, R3 Vac, and R12 Rex, each tailored for specialized cleaning tasks such as scrubbing, vacuuming, mopping, and sweeping in commercial and public environments. All robots run on LionsOS, the company’s proprietary AI and cloud operating system that powers fleet coordination, route optimization, and self-docking functionality. Through the LionsClean mobile app and web dashboard, customers can schedule, monitor, and manage cleaning performance across large facilities, while the robots collaborate autonomously in real time.

The company’s business model is hybrid HaaS, offering flexible acquisition options across subscription (Robots-as-a-Service), leasing, and direct purchase. Under the RaaS model, customers pay a recurring subscription fee that bundles hardware, software, and service into one contract, eliminating large upfront costs and ensuring continuous performance optimization through updates, maintenance, and AI improvements. This structure turns automation into a predictable operational expense rather than a capital investment, helping facilities teams adopt robotics at scale with faster ROI and lower risk. For organizations that prefer ownership, LionsBot also offers leasing and purchase paths enhanced by long-term service and upgrade agreements.