Robot rental is emerging as a dominant force in the automation sector, indicating one of the most significant industrial trends. Instead of the traditional purchase of expensive equipment, companies now opt for monthly subscription plans or leasing agreements, which encompass essential services such as maintenance, program updates and specialized assistance. This format, called “Robotics as a Service” (RaaS), is already being used in hospitals, industrial parks, rural properties and even at events, being seen by manufacturers as the main driver of the dissemination of robotics in the coming years.
This transformation in the market takes place in parallel with a period of rapid technological evolution in the field of robotics. With the constant release of new versions, purchasing a robot directly can result in equipment that is quickly outdated. The rental system, however, offers users the possibility of using the most current technologies without the need for large and recurring financial contributions.
BMW plans tests with humanoid robots at its manufacturing facilities
Renowned car manufacturer BMW recently communicated its plans to introduce two humanoid robots equipped with artificial intelligence at one of its production units.
The robots, called AEON, are the product of development by the Swedish company Hexagon. These two-color machines, in black and white, are 1.65 meters high, weigh 60 kilos and move on a pair of wheels.
More on this story: From hospitals to events: robot rental is consolidated as a market trend
The prototype of these devices is equipped with 22 sensors and multiple cameras, expanding their interaction and environmental perception capabilities.
In the North American territory, several hospital institutions already employ robots hired under a rental regime to transport drugs, inputs and other supplies between their different areas. According to data from the company Diligent Robotics, approximately one hundred units of the Moxi robot are in operation in this subscription format in healthcare establishments, which minimizes the original expenditure required to implement this technology.
In addition to hospital deliveries carried out by Moxi robots, there are examples developed to act as bartenders or as autonomous weeding systems on rural properties. In China, in turn, cleaning machines driven by artificial intelligence are already a reality in homes.
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One of the notable functions of one of these robots is the task of folding clothes, a process that takes several minutes, due to its similarity to the way a child performs the same activity for the first time.
In the industrial sector, companies also adopt the rental model to automate their production processes, avoiding the direct purchase of equipment. Formic, for example, a company from the United States, manages a fleet of more than 250 industrial robots leased to manufacturers, applying a fixed monthly fee that covers installation, maintenance and constant monitoring. This tactic aims to democratize access to automation for small and medium-sized businesses.
In China, the rental of humanoid-shaped robots has experienced notable growth, driven by demonstrations that have gone viral on digital platforms and at important events open to the public. Local companies began to make this equipment available for fairs, promotional initiatives, wedding ceremonies and marketing projects. There are situations in which robots are also used to welcome guests and interact with the audience.
However, even with the increase in interest, experts indicate that humanoid robots are not yet able to replace workers in large numbers. Currently, many of these devices require the intervention of human operators for their programming and supervision, demonstrating greater effectiveness in displays, leisure activities and predefined functions, in contrast to more intricate and autonomous operations. At a government training center near Beijing, more than 120 humanoids perform repetitive activities, albeit under the guidance of instructors using manual controls.
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China implements first domestic cleaning system with robots
Despite this, China continues to expand its investments in the area, aiming to consolidate its leading position in artificial intelligence and robotics. The Chinese government promotes the incorporation of these devices in hundreds of practical contexts, while production companies predict that the rental model will help to accelerate the use of robots, collect information to improve their systems and expand the consumer base.
According to information published by the official Chinese press, the country already has more than 153 thousand companies specialized in renting robots. Daily costs can vary between 3,000 and 3,500 yuan, equivalent to approximately R$2,300 and R$2,700. The Californian company 1X intends to start deliveries of its domestic assistant robot NEO later this year, with a monthly fee of US$499 (around R$2,000) in subscription format.
Features of 1X Technologies NEO Home Robot
The NEO robot, developed by 1X Technologies, is a home assistant designed to perform tasks such as cleaning, organizing objects and other everyday activities, with an estimated cost of US$20,000 to purchase or available via subscription.
Industry experts predict that the signature system will gain even more relevance as technology advances and production costs become more affordable. The projection is that, in a similar way to what was seen with cloud computing services and subscription-licensed software, companies will adopt the practice of hiring robots on demand, instead of having them as fixed properties on their balance sheets.