Guides
Practical guides for European buyers and operators: how to verify a robot’s service path, what a warranty actually covers, how spare-parts channels work, and what to check before deploying a fleet.
Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS): subscription models explained
16 August 2026 — Robotics-as-a-Service replaces upfront hardware purchase with a subscription or pay-per-use fee that bundles the robot, software, maintenance and support. For European service operators this shifts cost from capex to opex and makes fleets easier to scale. The trade-off is a higher total cost over long horizons and dependence on the vendor for uptime — worth modelling before signing. source
AGV vs AMR: choosing the right mobile robot strategy
12 August 2026 — Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) follow fixed routes and need infrastructure such as magnetic tape, while autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) navigate dynamically with onboard sensors and SLAM. AMRs offer more flexibility for changing warehouse layouts but cost more upfront. The right choice depends on whether your facility layout is stable and how often workflows change. source
Six questions to ask an AGV or robotics provider
11 August 2026 — Before selecting an AGV provider, verify: real-world reference deployments, total cost of ownership beyond hardware, integration effort wi th your WMS, safety certification, service and spare-parts lead times, and the vendor's roadmap for software updates. The cheapest quote often hides higher integration and downtime costs. source
Total cost of ownership for warehouse automation
8 August 2026 — Warehouse robot TCO includes acquisition, installation, integration, energy, maintenance, software licences and eventual decommissioning — not just the sticker price. A disciplined TCO model should also factor in labour savings, error reduction and throughput gains. European operators should benchmark against a 3–5 year horizon to capture the full return. source
Are robotic mowers worth it? A 2026 buying guide
11 August 2026 — Robotic mowers now handle larger, more complex lawns with GPS-RTK and LiDAR navigation, but they remain a significant investment. Key buying criteria include mowing area coverage, slope handling, boundary setup (wire vs wireless), and replacement battery cost. For most buyers the payback comes from labour savings over two to three seasons. source
Best robot lawn mowers, tested
20 July 2026 — Expert testing of robot lawn mowers in 2026 found that GPS-guided models deliver the most consistent coverage, while budget models still struggle with irregular lawns and steep slopes. Testers recommend matching the mower's rated area to at least 80% of your actual lawn and checking the warranty and service network before buying.
13 July 2026 — Independent testing of 2026 robot vacuums ranked models on suction, navigation accuracy, obstacle avoidance and app experience. The top performers combined LiDAR mapping with strong carpet pickup, while cheaper units struggled with hair tangling and multi-room mapping. Buyers should prioritise navigation and maintenance ease over raw suction numbers.
4 March 2026 — China is rolling out a digital-ID scheme for humanoid robots to support industry regulation and traceability. For European importers this adds a layer of provenance and compliance tracking, and may eventually feed into EU import and safety checks. Buyers should monitor how these IDs map to CE marking and machinery directives. China is rolling out a digital-ID scheme for humanoid robots to support industry regulation and traceability. For European importers this adds a layer of provenance and compliance tracking, and may eventually feed into EU import and safety checks. Buyers should monitor how these IDs map to CE marking and machinery directives. sourceBest robot vacuums for 2026, tried and tested
China's humanoid digital-ID system: what it means for buyers