Hardware Podcasts

An Outcome-Based Solution for Deploying Robots w/ Saman Farid

The Manufacturing Executive · 30 Jan 2024 · 24m · Episode 190

What this episode covers

Saman Farid, CEO and founder of Formic, explains how his company lowers the barrier to industrial automation by shifting the investment model from CapEx to OpEx through an outcome-based 'Robotics as a Service' approach. He details the specific pain points of traditional system integrators, such as low utilization rates and hidden change orders, and outlines the key criteria manufacturers should use to evaluate automation partners. Farid identifies end-of-line packaging, machine tending in metal fabrication, welding, and injection molding as the highest-ROI starting points for adopting robotic technology.

Most relevant to

companies scaling up

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Formic, Gorilla 76, Comet Labs, Bidu Ventures, Green Seed, Compact Industries

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 45m

    New Business Models and User Experiences in Robotics: Highlights from Automate LIVE in Detroit, MI

    Misa Ilkhechi, founder of Formic, explains how 'robots as a service' shifts automation from CapEx to OpEx, allowing manufacturers to pay for output rather than owning hardware, a model particularly suited for small-to-medium enterprises. Joe Campbell of Universal Robots highlights the industry shift toward collaborative robots and the enduring necessity of process knowledge, while Etienne Lacroix, CEO of Vention, describes his platform as 'industrial Lego' that democratizes machine design through a browser-based user experience. Finally, Kel Guerin, CIO of Ready Robotics, details their software approach to simplifying robot programming via flowcharts, aiming to empower non-technical factory workers to deploy automation without specialized coding skills.

    Starting a product companyDirect-to-consumer & e-commerce
    5 chapters

  • Over the Air · 30m

    Converting to “Robotics-as-a-Service” with Michael Senske, Chairman & CEO of Pearson Packaging Systems

    Michael Senske, Chairman and CEO of Pearson Packaging Systems, explains how the company pivoted from a custom equipment shop to focusing on core competencies like case erectors and robotic palletizers. He details the strategic shift toward 'Robotics-as-a-Service,' allowing customers to pay for outcomes rather than capital expenditure, which requires engaging finance and upper management rather than just plant operators. Senske highlights the importance of product management in understanding customer needs, citing the failure of a common footprint tray forming line as a lesson in market fit. He also discusses future product developments emphasizing flexibility, AI-driven vision, and partnerships with companies like +one robotics and Rockwell Automation.

    Pricing, margins & unit economicsValidation & product-market fit
    8 chapters

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 43m

    Independent Investment Banking in Robotics, Automation, and AI with Cascadia Capital’s Firdaus Pohowalla

    Firdaus Pohowalla, Managing Director at Cascadia Capital, explains the role of independent investment banking in the robotics, automation, and AI (RAAI) sector. He details the rise of Robotics as a Service (RaaS) as a preferred business model for warehouse automation and logistics, while highlighting challenges like capital intensity and hardware integration. Pohowalla also demystifies startup funding rounds, emphasizing that the Series B is critical for proving scalability and that 'backlog' (purchase orders) is a more important metric than 'pipeline' for investors.

    Fundraising & investorsRobotics & autonomy
    7 chapters

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 31m

    Doubling-Down on AMRs, Cobots, and Machine-as-a-Service with Craig Francisco

    Craig Francisco, President of RōBEX, discusses three key automation trends: MiR autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), FANUC collaborative robots, and the FLEXX Machine-as-a-Service program. He explains how RōBEX integrates MiR AMRs for palletized material movement and uses FANUC cobots for labeling and light palletizing, while emphasizing the importance of customer education and on-site demos. Francisco also details the FLEXX program, a partnership with Steamchain that allows customers to pay for automation via operating expenses rather than capital expenditure, reducing upfront financial barriers. Finally, he highlights RōBEX's company culture, which prioritizes long-term partnerships and rigorous hiring to maintain quality and innovation.

    Robotics & autonomyPricing, margins & unit economics
    7 chapters

  • Over the Air · 28m

    Modularity in Robotics: A Vision for the Future

    Afshin Doust, CEO of Advanced Intelligent Systems (AIS), explains how the company uses a proprietary library of hardware and software modules to reduce development time and cost, aiming to empower a broader robotics ecosystem. He details the pivot from an agricultural tech focus to developing a COVID-19 disinfectant robot in just 11 weeks, which validated their modular approach and led to a non-GPS localization system for greenhouse use. Doust also discusses AIS's 'Robotics-as-a-Service' business model, which eliminates large capital expenditures for customers by charging for work performed, and shares insights on building a resilient, win-win corporate culture.

    Robotics & autonomyScaling production
    6 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by The Manufacturing Executive. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.