By Futurist Thomas Frey
Automation has always followed the same pattern—it starts as a novelty, becomes a hassle, and eventually transforms into an indispensable part of daily life. Cars took more than a century to reach the level of reliability we take for granted today. Early versions were dangerous, expensive, and unpredictable. The same will be true for robots. When they first arrive in our homes, they won’t be perfect. But as history has shown, the imperfections of early automation only open doors for entirely new industries.
Consider robotic lawn mowers. The idea sounds simple—set it up once and enjoy a perfectly trimmed lawn forever. In practice, setup is tedious, boundaries fail, batteries die, and repairs require expertise. The technology works, but the experience doesn’t. That’s why the real business model of the future won’t be selling robotic mowers—it will be providing robotic mowing services.
Continue reading… “The Rise of Robotic Services: When Maintenance Becomes a Subscription”