In hospitals across the US, a friendly white robot named Moxi is becoming a familiar sight, shuttling medical supplies and receiving warm greetings from staff. Developed by Diligent Robotics, Moxi operates on a rental basis, allowing hospitals to access advanced robotics without the hefty upfront costs.
Robotics-as-a-Service: A New Era for Healthcare
Robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) is revolutionizing healthcare by providing hospitals with rental options for robots like Moxi. This model includes not just the robot, but also service, maintenance, and upgrades, significantly reducing the financial burden on healthcare facilities. Todd Brugger, COO of Diligent Robotics, states, "It lowers the expense and the outlay for the hospital because you’re not paying for the full purchase up front."
With around 100 Moxi robots currently in operation, hospitals can adapt to the rapidly evolving technology landscape without committing to a permanent purchase. This flexibility is crucial as robotics technology continues to advance.
Diverse Applications of Rental Robots
Robot rentals are not limited to healthcare. They are being utilized in various sectors, including hospitality and agriculture. For example, humanoid robots are increasingly used for entertainment at events, performing tasks like dancing or serving guests. Ethan Qi from Counterpoint Research explains how these robots learn complex routines: "You hire a real dancer to perform and video it. The video is then used to train the robot."
Additionally, companies like 1X are preparing to launch home helper robots, such as NEO, which will be available for purchase at $20,000 or via a subscription model at $499 per month. This subscription approach makes advanced robotics accessible to a broader audience.
The Future of Robotics Rentals
The demand for robot rentals extends beyond humanoids. Formic, a Chicago-based company, operates over 250 industrial robots on a RaaS basis, providing a flat monthly payment model that helps smaller companies access technology previously reserved for larger firms. Shawn Fitzgerald, chief revenue officer at Formic, notes, "Everything is included. If the robot arm burns out, that’s on us and we need to come bring you a new one."
As companies explore various payment structures, including fees linked to labor savings, the rental model not only generates revenue but also provides valuable data for manufacturers testing their products in real-world scenarios.
While rentals are growing in popularity, particularly in China, where humanoid robots are leased for use in hotels and cleaning services, outright purchases remain common due to government incentives. Marco Wang from Interact Analysis points out, "There are a lot of humanoid robot orders from Chinese state-owned companies and a lot of orders driven by subsidies."
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by BBC Technology. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
