RaaS Setup Guide: How to Start Your Robot Subscription

Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) is the fastest-growing way to deploy robots in the UK, offering monthly subscriptions that include the robot, maintenance, software updates, and support. This guide walks through the process from initial enquiry to live deployment.

Step 1: Define Your Requirements

Start by identifying the task you want the robot to perform, the environment it will operate in, and the outcomes you expect. Common RaaS use cases include restaurant delivery, warehouse cleaning, lobby greeting, and manufacturing automation. Be specific about operating hours, floor area, and any integration requirements with existing systems such as POS, ERP, or building management platforms.

Step 2: Choose Your Robot

Browse the roboTED marketplace to compare robots by category, specifications, and monthly subscription pricing. Our team can recommend the best robot for your use case based on your requirements. If you are unsure, start with a daily or weekly trial hire to validate the robot's suitability before committing to a monthly subscription. RaaS subscriptions on roboTED start from £599 per month for hospitality robots and vary by category and model.

Step 3: Site Assessment and Onboarding

Once you have selected a robot and subscription plan, roboTED conducts a remote or on-site assessment of your venue. For delivery and cleaning robots, this includes floor mapping, route planning, and obstacle identification. For cobots, we assess your production line layout, task requirements, and integration points. We also prepare a risk assessment and compliance documentation as part of the onboarding process.

Step 4: Delivery, Setup, and Training

roboTED delivers the robot to your site, completes physical setup, loads your venue map or task programme, and trains your team on daily operation. Training covers dispatching tasks, monitoring status, handling exceptions, charging procedures, and basic troubleshooting. Most deployments are fully operational within one day of delivery.

Step 5: Ongoing Management and Support

Your RaaS subscription includes proactive maintenance, software updates, and our responsive support line. If the robot develops a fault, we arrange repair or replacement at no extra cost. Monthly performance reports help you track utilisation, coverage, and ROI. You can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel your subscription with 30 days notice, giving you complete flexibility as your needs evolve.

RaaS vs Buying: Quick Comparison

Buying a robot outright costs £15,000-£75,000 upfront, with ongoing maintenance, software, and insurance costs on top. A RaaS subscription spreads cost into predictable monthly payments from £599, includes everything, and eliminates capital risk. Most UK businesses now prefer the subscription model, particularly for their first robot deployment where the business case is still being validated.