In hospitals across the United States, a friendly, four-foot-tall white robot named Moxi has become a familiar sight. This one-armed marvel, designed by Diligent Robotics, is often met with cheerful greetings from nurses who say “good morning” as it shuttles medical supplies around. Patients and staff alike have expressed that Moxi feels like a valuable member of their team, helping to streamline operations in busy healthcare environments.
But what if you don’t want to fork out cash for a robot like Moxi? Well, here’s the scoop: you don’t have to buy it outright. Robotics companies are rolling out options for renting robots or subscribing to their services. This approach, known as robotics-as-a-service, bundles the robot itself with maintenance, services, and upgrades, making it an attractive option for many businesses. Imagine having a human engineer ready to take over controls if necessary, all while you enjoy the benefits of robotic assistance without the hefty initial cost. Diligent Robotics’ Brugger noted that clients appreciate not having to pay the full price upfront and highlighted that technology is evolving rapidly…
Robot rentals are popping up for all sorts of purposes, from a single day to multiple years. For instance, you can hire a dancer to perform, film it, and train a robot to dance just like them! But don’t worry, an engineer often accompanies the robot to ensure smooth operations, especially when the environment is tricky. Many customers prefer the subscription model for robots like NEO, as it significantly reduces the upfront cost, making it accessible for a broader audience.
Every year, robotics companies are unveiling new models and iterations of their hardware. If you own a robot, you might find yourself stuck with outdated tech if you buy it outright. With rentals, you can sidestep the need for deep technical expertise. As Qi pointed out, if you encounter issues, you can just take them back to the rental platform or manufacturer…
It’s not just humanoid robots driving this rental demand. For instance, Formic, a Chicago-based company, boasts a fleet of over 250 industrial robots available on a robot-as-a-service basis. They cover everything—if a robot arm burns out, it’s on them to replace it. This flat monthly payment model is leveling the playing field for smaller companies that traditionally might not afford such technology. But the technology itself is still catching up; Agibot reports its humanoid robots are available for rent in 17 countries, including the UK. However, in places like China, outright purchases may still dominate due to government incentives. Some companies prefer owning robots for the prestige, to learn from the tech, or simply for their bottom line.
As robots get smarter and the market continues to expand, could the convenience and affordability of renting robots be the answer for many? It’s certainly something to think about as we head into a future where robotics could play an even bigger part in our everyday lives. What’s next for this evolving tech? Only time will tell…
Kaynak: Orijinal Haber