Driving Productivity through Human-Centered Automation

Collaborative Mobile
Robots

working with and for humans

Designed for tight, cluttered, dynamic environments such as manufacturing shopfloors, where our (d)robots find - fetch - transfer things, also on-demand and directly between people.

All made super easy, using natural language and intuitive gestures, or… as easy as clicking a button.

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Smart Navigation

Advanced AI for dynamic environments

Human-Centered

Designed to work with and for people

Easy and Intuitive

Natural language and intuitive gestures

Purpose

Tackling the Labor Shortage and Waste Problem

Labor Shortage Crisis

Manufacturing, logistics, construction, and healthcare are feeling the strain

Silver Tsunami

Accelerating retirements with fewer new hires available

Wasted Potential

Skilled employees stuck performing low-value ‘walking work’

Every Hour Matters

Maximizing skilled labor efficiency in today’s demanding environment

The labor shortage isn't coming — it's already here. Manufacturing, logistics, construction, and healthcare are all feeling the strain as the “silver tsunami” of retirements accelerates and new hires become harder to find.

At the same time, too many of your current employees are stuck performing low-value “walking work,” like ferrying parts or documents across the shop floor. This is wasted potential in an era when every hour of skilled labor matters.

Our Solution

Our collaborative robots take on those repetitive find - fetch - transfer tasks, giving your people back their time and energy. By letting humans do what humans do best, while robots handle the rest, you can bridge today's labor gap and prepare for tomorrow's demands.

Solution

Built for the Real World

Chaos Capable Navigation

CIVIC — Central Intelligence Vehicle Intelligence Cortex

Our robots are built to be Chaos Capable. Unlike traditional AGVs or AMRs that rely on clean and organized spaces, our technology thrives in the tight, cluttered, dynamic realities of real-world shopfloor environments. Whether it’s a pallet left out of place, a tool cart blocking the way, or people moving unpredictably, our robots adapt instantly.

  • Proprietary control and localization engine
  • Advanced path-planning with real-time locating system
  • Virtual approved pathways with obstacle detection
  • Safe, efficient movement in unpredictable environments

Versatile Task Handling

Planned • On-Demand • Fill-In Tasks

In dynamic environments, predictability is rare — which is why our (d)robots are designed for true versatility. They switch between planned, on-demand, and fill-in tasks seamlessly. Whether it’s executing scheduled jobs from systems like WMS or MES, responding instantly to an urgent need by an Operator, or filling downtime with useful support tasks.

  • Scheduled deliveries from WMS/MES systems
  • Instant response to operator requests
  • Automated fill-in tasks during downtime
  • Real-world find - fetch - transfer activities

Ease of Use

Easy As Clicking A Button™

When it comes to interaction, our philosophy is Easy As Clicking A Button™. Anyone on the floor can call a (d)robot with zero hassle — whether through a robotag, a robot action key, a mobile app, or even a voice command on a smartwatch. With just a tap or a word, the robot comes directly to your side, ready to help.

  • Zero-hassle robot calling system
  • Multiple interaction methods (tag, app, voice, gesture)
  • Intuitive interface requiring no special training
  • Quick Assist Request system for seamless collaboration

Human-Centered Collaboration

Responsive • Respectful • Personalized

Efficiency improves most when people and robots truly collaborate. Our robots are designed to work with and for humans, focusing on repetitive find - fetch - transfer tasks while freeing people to apply their judgment and expertise to higher-value activities.

  • Robots adapt to people, not the other way around
  • Intuitive non-verbal communication cues
  • Intelligent task-matching and assist requests
  • Trust-building through respectful partnership

Driving Productivity through Human-Centered Automation — a respectful partnership where each side does what it does best. Humans bring judgment and expertise, while robots handle repetitive tasks with precision and reliability.

Capabilities

Designed to take on the heavy lifting

Both literally and figuratively

400 lbs

Carrying capacity

800 lbs

Pulling capacity

Smart Transportation Features

RTLS Item Finding

Locate tagged items instantly

P2P Handoffs

Direct person-to-person transfers

Multi-Point Transport

Station to station delivery

Follow Mode

Assist with picking and put-away

Three-Tiered Task System

Planned Tasks

Scheduled deliveries and jobs from IT/OT systems

  • WMS integration
  • MES connectivity
  • PLC communication
  • Automated scheduling

On-Demand Tasks

Instant response to real-time requests

  • Emergency deliveries
  • Urgent material needs
  • Ad-hoc support
  • Operator assistance

Fill-In Tasks

Productive downtime activities

  • Floor cleaning
  • Air leak detection
  • Heat signature monitoring
  • RFID inventory mapping

Always Adding Value, Never Idle

Our three-tiered task system ensures that (d)robots are always productive — transforming downtime into productive time and keeping operations moving forward!

Industries

Working with and for humans across diverse environments

Manufacturing

Reduce walking waste and keep shop floors moving

  • Handle find - fetch - transfer tasks for parts, tools, and paperwork
  • Navigate tight, cluttered, dynamic environments
  • Follow operators for pick-and-put-away operations
  • Run tool-crib errands and move WIP between cells
  • Enable skilled workers to focus on value-added work

Results

Steadier flow, fewer interruptions, and higher throughput

Logistics

Extend efficiency to warehouses and distribution centers

  • Support zone picking, put-away, and replenishment
  • Execute planned transfers from WMS systems
  • Respond instantly to on-demand requests
  • Enable P2P handoffs between associates during peak waves
  • Reduce bottlenecks and maintain order flow

Results

Improved warehouse efficiency and order fulfillment speed

Construction

Bring flexibility to dynamic job sites

  • Adapt to changing layouts and daily priority shifts
  • Move tools, materials, and consumables where needed
  • Reduce unnecessary worker walking time
  • Support multiple crew locations simultaneously
  • Maintain productivity despite site complexity

Results

Projects stay on pace with improved crew efficiency

Healthcare

Serve as quiet, reliable helpers behind the scenes

  • Transport materials between central stores and units
  • Support nursing units, labs, and OR prep areas
  • Relieve staff from time-consuming supply runs
  • Move essential supplies safely and efficiently
  • Enable caregivers to spend more time with patients

Results

Enhanced patient care through optimized staff time

The Common Thread

Across all these industries, (d)robots are working with and for humans — cutting wasted motion, increasing efficiencies, and making operations more adaptable to real-world demands. The result is enhanced productivity through human-centered automation.

Leadership

Experienced leaders driving Drobot forward

Bringing together manufacturing experience, advanced robotics, and operational excellence

SV

Stijn Van de Velde

Co-Founder | CEO

Stijn is a three-time founder and CEO with over 20 years of experience in manufacturing and manufacturing technologies. Having worked closely with a wide range of mid-sized to (very) large industrial companies, he brings a deep understanding of the operational challenges leaders face on the shop floor. His track record of building companies and solutions that deliver measurable ROI positions him to guide Drobot toward solving some of industry’s most pressing problems.

AV

Ankit Verma

Co-Founder | CTO

Ankit is an experienced software engineer and systems architect with deep expertise in autonomous vehicles and mobile robotics. He specializes in navigation, AI/ML, and systems integration, with a proven ability to translate complex algorithms into practical, real-world applications. At Drobot, he leads the development of our proprietary CIVIC platform, ensuring that our robots are not only technically advanced but also reliable, scalable, and safe.

JE

Joseph Etris

Co-Founder | COO

Joseph has built his career around Industry 4.0, IIoT, Advanced Analytics, and Real-Time Locating Systems, with a focus on turning cutting-edge technology into working, integrated solutions on the shop floor. His strength lies in implementation and execution: ensuring that advanced technology delivers value from day one, in close collaboration with the Customer. As COO, Joseph drives solution delivery, customer delight, and operational excellence, bridging the gap between innovation and customer outcomes.

Combined Expertise

Our team combines decades of manufacturing experience with cutting-edge robotics expertise and proven operational execution. Together, we understand both the technical challenges and real-world demands of implementing automation solutions that truly work.

Our Story

We've spent decades inside manufacturing plants — from Fortune 500 operations to mid-sized job shops. No matter the size or sector, we kept seeing the same pain points:

The Problem We Witnessed

Operators on wild goose chases trying to find missing parts, tools misplaced just when they are needed most, and people injured from the strain of pulling manual pallet jacks.

The Breakthrough Moment

While experimenting with RTLS, we realized how location data could not only unlock smarter operations, but also make mobile robots truly useful.

Our Mission

We didn’t just want to build cool tech; we wanted our robots to help companies tackle labor shortages and reduce waste, while becoming trusted teammates.

The American Dream

Today we’re chasing the American dream through the daily hustle, one robot at a time, all in service of driving productivity through human-centered automation!

Contact

Ready to transform your operations?

Let's discuss how Drobot's collaborative mobile robots can help solve your labor shortage challenges and improve operational efficiency.

Address

Drobot Inc.
1200 Woodruff Rd., Suite C-40
Greenville, SC
USA

Email

info@drobot.io

Mission

Our mobile robots handle simple but critical tasks that cut wasted time and improve productivity!

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Driving Productivity through Human-Centered Automation

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