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.
Founded in 2015, Tive is a global leader in supply chain and logistics visibility technology solutions. More than 1,200 global shippers, logistics service providers, and retailers use Tive to monitor shipment location and conditions in real-time, gain actionable insights, and ensure end-customer satisfaction. The company’s hardware portfolio includes disposable and reusable real-time trackers (Solo Pro for life sciences, Solo 5G, Solo Lite), passive NFC temperature loggers (Tive Tag), and the high-security Bluetooth-enabled Tive Seal for container/trailer tamper detection. Devices capture hyper-accurate location (cellular, GPS, WiFi) and a full suite of condition metrics—temperature, humidity, shock, light exposure, and motion—sending data into the Tive Platform so users can detect excursions, prevent spoilage or theft, and verify safe handling. Tive also offers 24/7 Live Monitoring, in which the team actively intervenes when shipments face security or quality risks.
The company operates a hybrid hardware + SaaS model. Customers purchase trackers, tags, and seals upfront (often in volume-based annual contracts) and subscribe to the Tive Platform under one of three tiers—Essential, Plus, or Premium. These tiers unlock capabilities such as branded public tracking links, multi-tracker shipments, multimodal ocean/air visibility, geofence and ETA alerts, smart route-deviation detection, API/webhook access, and custom dashboards. Platform subscriptions are recurring, and hardware economics improve at higher shipment volumes. Connectivity is bundled, and visibility features require an active subscription—there is no hardware-only option.
“We built Tive because shippers shouldn’t incur avoidable costs—or damage customer trust—simply because they can’t see what’s happening in transit,” says CEO Krenar Komoni. “By combining intelligent hardware with a powerful platform, we help customers detect issues early, protect every shipment, and deliver with confidence.”
Butterfly Network
Butterfly Network builds handheld ultrasound systems—including the iQ3, iQ+, iQ+ Bladder, and iQ3 Vet—that combine proprietary “Ultrasound-on-Chip” hardware with AI-enabled software and cloud workflow tools. The probes connect to a mobile device and deliver whole-body point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) with clearer images, automated calculations, and expanded clinical presets. Their software ecosystem includes Compass AI for program-wide workflow management, an AI Marketplace for compatible diagnostic apps, and Butterfly Academy for structured education and training. The platform is designed for broad deployment across hospitals, clinics, EMS, medical education, veterinary care, and individual clinicians.
The company offers its solution through a hybrid model that combines capital expenditure (CapEx) for hardware with subscription-based software services. Handheld probe pricing varies by model and configuration, with the Butterfly iQ+ generally priced around $2,700-$3,500 and the newer iQ3 ranging between $3,900 and $4,700. Software access—covering advanced AI tools, cloud storage, workflow management, and educational content—is delivered through annual subscriptions that align with the user’s needs, from individual clinicians to enterprise-scale health systems. This structure creates a clear split: customers own the device, while Butterfly generates recurring revenue through the software layers that keep imaging, workflow, and AI-enabled features continuously up to date.
Kubota
Kubota has been manufacturing compact tractors and agricultural machinery since its founding in 1890. The company’s tractors are designed with versatility in mind, supporting attachments for mowing, tilling, hauling, and specialty crop work, and featuring ergonomic operator stations designed for comfort and intuitive control. Recent models also integrate GPS guidance and precision farming capabilities, helping farmers optimize input efficiency and field productivity. While the company’s business is rooted in selling hardware outright, Kubota has steadily expanded into IoT and digital services. Offerings like KubotaNOW allow farmers to monitor equipment in real time, receive maintenance alerts, track fuel and temperature levels, and even disable machines remotely through the myKubota app. These tools extend the value of Kubota’s tractors by streamlining fleet management, enhancing security, and reducing downtime.
The company’s business model is a hybrid recurring sales model. Farmers and businesses still purchase tractors as capital equipment, but Kubota layers in recurring revenue streams through its digital services. KubotaNOW, for example, includes a bundled three-year subscription with telematics hardware; Kubota Connect offers European customers remote monitoring, service scheduling, theft protection, and reporting. The company also offers a fully developed Farm Management Information System (FMIS) that visualizes field operations, optimizes inputs like water and fertilizer, and integrates with external data sources to support precision farming. This dual approach—CapEx hardware paired with Opex software and data services—aligns Kubota’s growth with the long-term needs of its customers.
Railpod
RailPod delivers a fully integrated hardware and software system for railroad track inspection. Its autonomous vehicles use advanced sensors to scan track conditions in detail, capturing images, measurements, and 360° LiDAR data in a single pass. This includes insights on track alignment, ballast quality, rail wear, joint bar integrity, and more. All of this data is uploaded to RailPod’s cloud-based portal, where users can perform virtual track walk-throughs, track safety issues, and plan maintenance with precision. A mobile app is also available to support on-the-ground inspections, even in tunnels or areas without internet access. The app is built to comply with federal safety standards (known as CFR 213) that govern how railroads must monitor and maintain track conditions.
RailPod offers both direct-purchase and Hardware-as-a-Service (HaaS) models. In HaaS deployments, customers receive an all-in-one package that includes the inspection vehicle, software access, sensor updates, maintenance, and 24/7 remote monitoring. This subscription-style model reduces capital expenditures and maximizes inspection frequency without requiring specialized staff. RailPod’s shadow operations team supports real-time alerts and defect validation, enabling faster decision-making and safer rail operations with minimal operational burden.
Pringle Robotics
Pringle Robotics offers a diverse lineup of autonomous service robots designed to streamline facility operations and enhance customer experiences across hospitality, healthcare, education, and commercial environments. From delivery and floor-cleaning robots to disinfection and security solutions, Pringle Robotics’ technology combines intelligent navigation (LIDAR and RGBD camera-based obstacle avoidance), AI-enabled task management, and remote software controls. Its robots—like BellaBoT, PUDU SwiftBoT, and CC3—handle everything from carrying meals and parcels to scrubbing 20,000+ square feet of flooring per hour. These machines integrate seamlessly with facility systems like elevators and security doors and offer real-time reporting, customizable UIs, and multi-robot collaboration features.
Pringle operates on a monthly leasing model, similar to a robots-as-a-service (RaaS) model, that minimizes upfront costs. Customers can rent robots starting at around $1,200/month for hospitality-focused units, with industrial cleaning and sanitation robots priced higher: up to $3,500/month depending on size and functionality. This subscription model includes full access to hardware, software, regular maintenance, and ongoing support. Robots are delivered as turnkey solutions—often within hours—with support that includes training, onboarding, and guaranteed uptime, ensuring businesses avoid CapEx burdens while receiving consistent performance.