Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) to unleash innovation on construction sites

From the warehouse to the construction site: robotics on demand

Logistics infrastructure (warehouses, racks, handling equipment) has historically been the subject of significant investment. But new players, particularly in robotics, have recently brought their share of technical, financial and usage innovations to answer the question: how to get a new technology adopted that by its nature presents a risk, given that investments are substantial and needs vary according to the season and the projects?

Logistics robot manufacturers then took the risk by offering a Robots-as-a-Service model: the logistics provider doesn't own the robots, but rents them through a subscription, lease, or pay-per-task model. This is an extension of the "as a Service" concept (e.g., SaaS, PaaS) applied to robotics!

The model is based on three operational layers: a high-performance physical robot, a software infrastructure for over-the-air (or remote) monitoring, management, maintenance, and analysis, and a suite of associated services for installation, training, and support. The robotics engineer retains ownership of the robot and provides proactive and reactive maintenance, monitoring, and consulting in close partnership with the logistics client.

This approach allows the end customer to test robots while minimizing risk (reducing capital expenditure), and then deploy them with flexibility, adapting their fleet to their needs to accommodate seasonal variations and peak business periods (Black Friday, end-of-year holidays, etc.). For the robotics company, this generates recurring revenue, collects usage data (for continuous robot improvement), and fosters customer loyalty through close relationships.

However, this model raises the question of financing these machines, which, no longer being provided by the end customer, must be borne by the supplier. Today, new financing players are emerging; they are still few in number, but specialized leasing companies are enabling robotics manufacturers to finance the machines they have designed themselves, in order to lease them as a RaaS (Robotics as a Service).

This movement, initiated by the Supply Chain, is now finding its place in other sectors such as Construction and Building. The structuring of the available offering has enabled the expansion of the RaaS model, thus changing financing models—a boon for sectors like Construction, which are highly dependent on demand and the specific requirements of construction sites for equipment acquisition.

RaaS: The challenges for Construction and Building

Unlike simple rental, such as that offered by companies like Loxam or Kiloutou, RaaS (Resource as a Service) includes much more comprehensive support. It truly involves implementing a complex industrial project with associated support services within a construction company. The traditional "loyalty account" is then replaced by a long-term partnership.

Indeed, beyond the financial aspect, the adoption of robotics in a production process raises fundamental questions, far removed from the traditional daily work of painters, bricklayers, plumbers, or electricians. It is essential that construction suppliers or robotics specialists be able to support their clients and partners, the building companies, in the operational deployment of robots.

Regarding responses to calls for tenders, the robotics manufacturer will need to support its client in defining costs (which robotics will reduce), analyzing the feasibility of projects, highlighting the benefits of robotics (quality, speed of execution, management of concurrent activities on the construction site), understanding constraints, and anticipating the relationship with the project management team. In concrete terms, this will involve, for example, assisting the construction company in its responses to calls for tenders. Backed by the expertise of the robotics manufacturer, the contractor can then offer a significantly more valuable solution.

Robot-as-a-Service thus becomes the technical means to achieve an economic pivot. New markets then become accessible thanks to reduced CAPEX, allowing professionals to benefit from a high-performance tool on demand.

Construction professionals, tradespeople, investors, it's our turn!

Opinion piece by Antoine Rennuit, founder and CEO, Les Companions (LinkedIn)