# What is Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS)?

- Show: [Over the Air](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air)
- Published: 2021-04-13
- Length: 28m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2021-04-13-what-is-robotics-as-a-service-raas
- Listen: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/over-the-air/episodes/What-is-Robotics-as-a-Service-RaaS-e2l43ri

## Summary

Paul Willard, founding partner at grep -vc, defines Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) as a business model where hardware is commoditized to enable high-margin software services, using Zipline and Cobalt Robotics as examples. He explains that RaaS succeeds when underlying hardware costs drop significantly, citing the impact of mobile phone sensors and Tesla motors on the industry. Willard warns founders against building startups dependent on step-function improvements in aerodynamics or battery chemistry that are not imminent, highlighting his investment in Fuel X's aluminum hydride technology as a potential enabler for viable electric aviation.

## Chapters

- [0:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2021-04-13-what-is-robotics-as-a-service-raas#t=3) Introduction and Paul Willard's Background
- [1:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2021-04-13-what-is-robotics-as-a-service-raas#t=86) Zipline and the Origin of RaaS
- [5:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2021-04-13-what-is-robotics-as-a-service-raas#t=331) Defining Robotics-as-a-Service
- [10:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2021-04-13-what-is-robotics-as-a-service-raas#t=630) Hardware Commoditization and Investor Thesis
- [16:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2021-04-13-what-is-robotics-as-a-service-raas#t=961) Warnings on Physics and Battery Limits
- [20:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2021-04-13-what-is-robotics-as-a-service-raas#t=1233) Fuel X and Aluminum Hydride for Aviation
- [23:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2021-04-13-what-is-robotics-as-a-service-raas#t=1432) Ideal Robot and Closing Thoughts

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Zipline (company)
- grep -vc (company)
- Cobalt Robotics (company)
- Boeing (company)
- Fuel X (company)
- Tesla (company)
- Monarch Motors (company)
- Kendall Jackson (company)
- Atlassian (company)
- Uber (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Independent Investment Banking in Robotics, Automation, and AI with Cascadia Capital’s Firdaus Pohowalla](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-02-08-independent-investment-banking-in-robotics-automation-and-ai-with-cascadia-capit) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Perspectives on Automation, AI, & the Future w/ Andy Lonsberry](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-06-08-perspectives-on-automation-ai-the-future-w-andy-lonsberry) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Argo AI shuts down; Covariant CEO discusses new RaaS performance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-10-28-argo-ai-shuts-down-covariant-ceo-discusses-new-raas-performance) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [An Outcome-Based Solution for Deploying Robots w/ Saman Farid](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-01-30-an-outcome-based-solution-for-deploying-robots-w-saman-farid) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [New Business Models and User Experiences in Robotics: Highlights from Automate LIVE in Detroit, MI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-05-16-new-business-models-and-user-experiences-in-robotics-highlights-from-automate-li) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2021-04-13-what-is-robotics-as-a-service-raas. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Over the Air.