Robots on Payroll: Why Owning Robots Might Be a Thing of the Past

Not long ago, automating your warehouse meant committing to massive upfront costs and long implementation timelines. For many companies, that investment felt like placing a very expensive bet on an uncertain future. 

Today, that is changing. In an era of market uncertainty, flexibility is becoming essential, and a new business model is making it possible. Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) gives companies the option to “hire” robots rather than purchase them outright, lowering financial risk while still providing the full benefits of automation.

This model aligns with the challenges many operators face. Instead of tying up large amounts of capital, businesses can pay a fixed monthly fee for a fleet of robots to perform tasks – much like paying people salaries. This marks a fundamental shift in how businesses adopt and scale automation: robots are no longer just machines to purchase, but a flexible workforce that can be hired on demand.

How RaaS works

RaaS transforms automation from a major capital expense into a monthly operating cost. Instead of buying robots outright, you pay for the work they perform, which reduces financial risk, simplifies budgeting and delivers immediate ROI.

RaaS contracts are typically structured to include a modest upfront installation fee (usually around 5-10% of the equivalent CapEx price) and a fixed monthly fee based on the number of robots deployed. Additional robots can generally be rented for peak season to meet spikes in demand. 

Brightpick’s RaaS contracts include uptime and throughput guarantees, tailored to your operational needs based on data provided during solution design. All RaaS contracts typically come with full-service support, including 24/7 remote support, preventative and emergency maintenance, and optional on-site support. 

When the initial contract ends, typically after 3 years (though shorter terms are possible), you’re not locked in. Businesses have several options: extend the contract (sometimes at a lower rate), upgrade to the latest hardware available, or purchase the system outright.

Is RaaS the right model for you?

Hiring robots sounds great on paper, but is it the right move for your business?

The answer depends on your goals, growth stage, and available capital. RaaS offers plenty of upside, such as: financial flexibility, fast deployment, predictable costs, and no big upfront investment. But it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Here are a few key questions to help guide your decision:

Do I need to move fast?
RaaS lets you get started quickly, without waiting for long budget approval cycles or the need to find external financing.

Am I growing quickly?
If your business is growing quickly, RaaS lets you scale more easily by paying only for the throughput you need now and expanding gradually as your business grows – instead of investing lots of capital upfront for a robotic system that would be underutilized for a period of time.

Do I want to keep capital free for other priorities?
RaaS shifts automation from being a capital expense to an operating one, which makes budgeting easier and frees up funds for product development, marketing, or expansion.

How quickly do I need ROI?
RaaS typically delivers ROI within 3-6 months, compared to several years with a traditional CapEx investment. However, this immediate return comes at the expense of lower long-term cost savings due to ongoing monthly fees.

How important is future-proofing?
With RaaS, you’ll never be stuck with outdated tech. You can always upgrade to the latest version of the solution at the end of your contract term and you’ll never have to worry about sunk costs.

Brightpick’s RaaS Pricing

Brightpick offers a transparent and flexible RaaS solution tailored to your warehouse needs:

• Monthly pricing: $1,900 to $2,200 per robot, depending on installation size and contract length. This includes all robots, the latest software, 24/7 remote support, on-site servicing, and preventive maintenance.
• Upfront fee: $1,000 per robot, with a $70,000 minimum. This covers solution design, WMS integration, and on-site installation and commissioning. In addition, the customer is responsible for purchasing the shelving and totes (which can be done through Brightpick or directly from third party suppliers).
• Support: Full-service maintenance is included, covering 24/7 remote support, preventive and emergency maintenance. On-site support staff is available as an optional add-on.
• Performance Guarantees: Brightpick’s RaaS contracts include uptime and throughput guarantees, tailored to your operational needs based on data provided during solution design.

Contract Term: The minimum duration is 3 years, with discounts for longer upfront commitments. At the end of the term, you can choose to renew, upgrade to the latest hardware, or purchase the system outright.

Many of our existing customers have purchased Brightpick via RaaS, including:

• The Feed: US-based e-commerce retailer which hired 48 Autopicker robots in 2024 and an additional 25 robots in 2025.
  
• Dr. Max: Europe’s second-largest pharmacy chain, which employed 9 Autopickers in 2023 and an additional 10 robots in 2025.
  
• Rohlik: Europe’s leading e-grocer, which has hundreds of Brightpick robots working across their warehouses since 2023.

As Matt Johnson, CEO of The Feed, put it: “We see Brightpick not as a technology expense, but as part of our labor cost. And we’ve been able to reduce that labor cost by nearly 70%.”

The bottom line

RaaS adoption is on the rise as more warehouses shift toward flexible, service-based automation over costly capital investments. Curious to see if it’s the right fit for your operations? Get in touch with us here to explore how robot hiring could work for you.

About Brightpick

Brightpick is a leader in AI-powered robotic solutions for warehouses. The company’s multi-purpose AI robots enable warehouses of any size to fully automate order picking, buffering, consolidation, dispatch, and stock replenishment. The award-winning Brightpick solution takes just weeks to deploy and allows companies to keep their warehouse labor to a minimum. With offices in the US and Europe, Brightpick has more than 250 employees and hundreds of AI robots deployed with customers. For more information, visit www.brightpick.ai.