A business robot is most useful when it fits a clearly described job. Start with the load, route, environment and result you need, then investigate the machine. A striking demonstration can show a capability without proving that the complete workflow is ready at your site.
This guide draws on manufacturer documentation and the Robotic Genius catalogue. It is a procurement starting point, not an independently tested ranking, a deployment design or a claim that a robot is certified for your application.
Match the job to a category
Different robot forms serve different processes. A mobile platform carries a load between places; an arm manipulates something within its working area; an inspection robot carries sensors along a route. Start with that distinction before comparing appearance or advertised autonomy.
- Construction: Dusty FieldPrinter 2 transfers coordinated building layouts to the jobsite floor.
- Manufacturing: Universal Robots UR20-1750 is an arm that needs application tooling and integration.
- Logistics: MiR250 is a mobile platform; its load module and hand-off process matter.
- Farming: Burro Grande 15 supports outdoor transport; carrying and towing ratings describe different tasks.
- Hospitality: BellaBot Pro transports trays; people still load, unload and organise service.
- Inspection: ANYmal and Spot are professional platforms whose sensor configurations determine the collected information.
- Specialist environments: Moxi supports hospital logistics, while BlueROV2 is a piloted underwater vehicle requiring a suitable complete configuration.
02Turn the idea into a one-page supplier brief
Describe one task from beginning to end. Include the load and its dimensions, pickup and drop-off points, required frequency, shift pattern and acceptable completion time. Record who prepares the work and who takes over if the robot cannot finish it.
Add the difficult details: doorways, lifts, ramps, floor changes, outdoor exposure, people and vehicle traffic. Identify any systems the robot must communicate with. Send measurements and process diagrams with an enquiry so the supplier can assess a real workflow instead of quoting an unspecified machine.
03Compare the complete installation, not the base robot
An arm quote may need grippers, fixtures, programming and cell integration. A mobile robot may need shelving, docking, door interfaces and fleet software. Ask which are included and who owns each piece of work. MiR explicitly distinguishes its AMR platform from the add-ons and services needed for a solution.
Check load distribution, reach and the real duty cycle. Do not transfer a headline capacity between configurations: UR20-1750 has a standard payload specification and a separately qualified extended payload. Likewise, a mobile robot's top speed does not establish useful throughput in a busy shared route.
04Confirm the commercial channel and service region
Some robots have an online checkout; others require a quote, regional distributor or managed-service agreement. Dusty's platform and Knightscope's K5 service are not equivalent to retail purchases. Do not assume a monthly arrangement includes maintenance, software, replacement equipment or unlimited use unless the contract says so.
Ask about installation, training, support hours, repair turnaround, parts, recurring charges and contract exit. Confirm that the provider actually serves your location. An international website or a compelling case study does not establish local availability, and Australian delivery is separate from Australian deployment support.
05Pilot a measurable outcome with the people doing the work
Before a pilot, measure the existing process and agree on success criteria. Useful measures include completed jobs, interventions, loading time, rework and downtime. Run representative loads and routes, including awkward hand-offs. Ask staff what became easier and what new work appeared.
Assign responsibility for application assessment, operator training, data access and escalation. A developer platform such as Go2 EDU or TurtleBot 4 Standard is not a ready-made patrol, care or industrial service. A successful demonstration is evidence of that demonstration; wider rollout needs its own acceptance decision.
- Request an itemised quote and a written list of assumptions and exclusions.
- Agree on pilot duration, representative tasks and intervention reporting.
- Confirm the manual fallback and who provides support when the robot is unavailable.
A little more clarity
Questions before choosing.
Should a business buy, lease or subscribe to a robot?
Compare the actual offers over the intended period, including integration, software, maintenance and exit costs. The name of the arrangement does not establish what is included. Request written responsibilities and service commitments.
Can I buy a robot and deploy it immediately?
Do not assume so. The task may require tooling, mapping, software integration, training or site assessment. Ask the supplier what remains to be done after delivery and who is responsible.
Does a robot dog automatically work as a security robot?
No. A quadruped is a form factor, not a complete security workflow. Inspection platforms, developer robots and managed patrol services have different capabilities, operating requirements and intended buyers.
Put the questions to work
Explore relevant robots.
These catalogue entries give you somewhere to start. Their inclusion is not a claim of suitability or a performance ranking.
Dusty Robotics
A site-layout robot that prints coordinated digital building plans at full scale on the floor.
- Buying route
- Plan or managed service
- Market
- North America
Details, sources & caveats 
Universal Robots
An industrial robot arm for integrated tasks such as palletising, machine tending and welding.
- Buying route
- Manufacturer enquiry
- Market
- International sales · local supply to confirm
Details, sources & caveats Mobile Industrial Robots
A mobile platform for moving materials through warehouses and manufacturing facilities.
- Buying route
- Manufacturer enquiry
- Market
- International sales · local supply to confirm
Details, sources & caveats Burro
An outdoor mobile platform for repeated carrying and towing tasks in agricultural operations.
- Buying route
- Manufacturer enquiry
- Market
- US-based sales and dealer network
Details, sources & caveats ANYbotics
A four-legged industrial inspection platform for visual, thermal and acoustic monitoring.
- Buying route
- Manufacturer enquiry
- Market
- Global partner network · Australia listed
Details, sources & caveats Pudu Robotics
A tray-carrying service robot for delivery, collection and guest-guidance workflows.
- Buying route
- Manufacturer enquiry
- Market
- International sales · local team enquiry
Details, sources & caveats Boston Dynamics
A professional four-legged platform for inspection, documentation and remote assessment with suitable payloads.
- Buying route
- Manufacturer enquiry
- Market
- Manufacturer sales
Details, sources & caveats Knightscope
A professional managed patrol system for monitoring structured outdoor spaces and communicating with people.
- Buying route
- Plan or managed service
- Market
- US-oriented service
Details, sources & caveats Diligent Robotics
A hospital robot that moves supplies and lab samples, supporting staff with non-patient-facing logistics.
- Buying route
- Manufacturer enquiry
- Market
- Manufacturer enquiry · coverage to confirm
Details, sources & caveats Blue Robotics
A tethered underwater vehicle for inspection, exploration and research, configured and operated from the surface.
- Buying route
- Official online store
- Market
- International manufacturer store
Details, sources & caveats Unitree
The Go2 development configuration for quadruped programming and robotics experiments.
- Buying route
- Manufacturer enquiry
- Market
- Unitree international sales
Details, sources & caveats Clearpath Robotics
A ROS 2 mobile robotics platform with onboard computing, camera and LiDAR for teaching and experiments.
- Buying route
- Official distributor route
- Market
- Regional distributor network
Details, sources & caveats 
