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 June, early and late July, early and late August, and early and late September.
Opentrons builds benchtop robots that pipette. Opentrons Flex moves precise volumes of liquid between tubes, plates, and wells, taking over the repetitive hand-pipetting that fills a scientist's day: preparing DNA sequencing libraries, setting up PCR reactions, isolating nucleic acids, and purifying proteins. Flex carries swappable 1-, 8-, and 96-channel pipettes that a user changes without a service call, a gripper that moves plates on and off deck modules, and a touchscreen that guides deck setup and calibration. On-deck modules add thermocycling, heating and shaking, magnetic separation, and temperature control. OT-2 is the smaller instrument, sized to fit on half a standard lab bench. The Opentrons App connects to and runs both robots. Scientists build protocols three ways: dragging steps together in Protocol Designer, describing the experiment in plain English to OpentronsAI, or coding directly against the open-source Python API. Compliance Ready Software adds the authentication, role-based permissions, and signed audit trails that regulated labs work under.
Labs buy the robot outright. Flex configurations start at $26,400 and the OT-2 at $10,000, and the recurring layer sits on top of the purchased asset. Opentrons Care and Opentrons Care Plus are annual service plans covering parts replacement for wear and tear plus remote troubleshooting, with the Plus tier adding on-site repair, expedited spare parts, and a yearly maintenance visit that verifies pipette precision, checks gantry alignment, and replaces filters. Individual services are priced separately for labs that skip the contract. That makes the model hybrid: hardware margin at the sale, then service and software revenue for as long as the instrument runs. Compliance Ready Software sells separately into regulated labs, while the free tools keep the installed base current.
"Regulated labs have had to choose between automation they could afford and automation they could validate," says James Atwood, CEO at Opentrons. "Opentrons Compliance Ready Software changes that equation. The Opentrons Flex becomes a platform that compliance teams can recommend, that scientists can continue using the way they already do, and that finance teams do not have to defend at five times the cost."
Tennant Company
Tennant builds commercial and industrial cleaning machines that span walk-behind and ride-on floor scrubbers, sweepers, extractors, vacuums, and specialty tools. The fleet includes autonomous robotic scrubbers (like the T16AMR and X6 ROVR) and the Z50 Citadel, a rugged outdoor sweeper for municipalities and industrial environments. Tennant pairs its machines with proprietary cleaning technologies like ec-H2O NanoClean and ReadySpace, and supports facilities across logistics, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing.
The company’s hybrid recurring sales model combines capital equipment sales with recurring revenue streams. Customers typically purchase machines outright, then layer on service plans, parts and consumables, and digital tools like IRIS Asset Manager for fleet visibility and performance analytics. Robotic systems can be enhanced with subscription features like Inventory Scan, enabling data capture and operational insights. Rental and leasing options are also available for flexible deployment.
Brivo
Brivo provides a unified cloud platform for physical security spanning access control, video, visitor management, and intrusion monitoring. The company’s hardware lineup includes IP-connected control panels and smart readers that support RFID, smartcards, Bluetooth, and Brivo Mobile Pass credentials. These devices connect directly to the Brivo Security Suite, which allows administrators to manage doors, users, schedules, visitors, mobile credentials, and access events remotely. The platform integrates access activity with video for real-time and historical review, supports hands-free mobile unlocking, offers analytics for occupancy and space utilization, and provides API and integration options for HR systems, identity providers, and property-tech platforms.
The company operates a subscription-first business model centered on its cloud software, with multiple deployment options for hardware. Customers can purchase hardware as CapEx and pair it with Brivo Access subscriptions (hybrid hardware-as-a-service), or they can choose Brivo Complete, a monthly per-door subscription that bundles hardware, installation, cloud software, support, and a lifetime hardware warranty (full hardware-as-a-service). Brivo Complete eliminates upfront equipment costs and ensures devices are always covered and updated. Subscriptions include cloud hosting, ongoing software and firmware updates, remote management, mobile credentials, video integrations, analytics, and—in the case of Brivo Complete—hardware replacement and continuous technology refresh.
Sea Machines Robotics
Sea Machines Robotics develops autonomous command-and-control systems and advanced perception tools for commercial and defense maritime vessels. Its hardware portfolio includes the SM300 series—modular autonomy kits designed for rapid retrofit or new-build installation on vessels from 10 to 300 feet—and the AI-ris 4K computer-vision system for object detection, navigation support, and situational awareness. Sea Machines also develops unmanned surface vessels (SELKIE and STORMRUNNER) for industrial, scientific, and contested-environment applications. These systems integrate sensors, onboard computing, connectivity modules, and perception hardware for autonomous navigation, obstacle avoidance, remote piloting, and multi-vessel fleet coordination. Software capabilities include a marine-grade autonomy stack, real-time obstacle detection and avoidance, fleet data management, mission execution, and APIs for integrating autonomy with third-party systems.
Sea Machines sells its autonomy kits and computer-vision systems primarily as upfront hardware purchases, supported by annual software licenses. Optional subscriptions provide cloud-platform access for fleet monitoring, real-time analytics, system health reporting, and cybersecurity updates. Operators can add annual maintenance and software-update contracts, and managed services such as remote monitoring, configuration assistance, and system upgrades. Professional services—including integration engineering, regulatory and compliance support, crew training, and onsite commissioning—are available either as part of the initial deployment or as ongoing service agreements. This model blends CapEx hardware with optional recurring software and support tiers tailored to long-term fleet operations.
Phood
Phood offers an AI-driven food-waste prevention system built around PHOOD X, a tabletop device that combines a scale and camera to capture images and weights of discarded or unsold prepared foods. Using computer vision and AI, the device identifies items with high accuracy and sends that data to the Phood analytics platform, which analyzes food-waste patterns, individual product margins, and demand-based production volumes. The system helps foodservice operators optimize what they prepare, improve ordering and scheduling, reduce overproduction, and minimize the manual labor traditionally required for waste tracking. Operators can use these insights to adjust menus and production cycles in ways that meaningfully improve both cost control and sustainability outcomes.
The company operates a hybrid hardware-plus-software model in which the PHOOD X device can be purchased as CapEx or leased, while the analytics platform is delivered as a subscription that provides ongoing reporting, insights, and data-driven recommendations. Customers can also access custom digital solutions through Phood Lab, along with consulting, training, and support designed to help operators implement waste-reduction strategies and improve profitability. This model allows customers to scale the system across multiple stations or sites while keeping data centralized through the cloud-based platform.