Robot procurement involves hardware specifications, software licensing, site conditions, regulatory compliance, and after-sales support. A mistake in any area can prevent a project from achieving its intended results. Here are common pitfalls organizations overlook:
01
Specifications are not standardized
Measurement conditions for payload, runtime, slope capability, and navigation vary by vendor. Published figures are not directly comparable; a stated “8-hour runtime” may be only half that in real-world conditions.
02
Purchase price is not total cost
Mapping, annual software licenses, battery replacement, maintenance renewals, and accessories can all incur charges after signing. Total cost of ownership is often far higher than the quoted price.
03
Buy, lease, or subscribe monthly?
Each model has different cash-flow, depreciation, and upgrade-cycle trade-offs. With rapid technological change, purchased equipment may be obsolete within two or three years.
04
Hidden site requirements
Elevator connectivity, access-control integration, Wi-Fi coverage, flooring material, and slope can each prevent equipment from operating properly if requirements are not met. These issues are often discovered only on installation day.
05
Privacy and compliance risks
Cameras, audio recording, and people counting involve the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance. Data storage locations and cross-border transfers also require prior review; otherwise, the organization may incur legal liability.
06
Gaps in after-sales support
Local spare-parts availability, engineer response times, and whether support is remote or requires waiting for the manufacturer to send staff from elsewhere directly affect operational losses during downtime.
07
Training and knowledge transfer
Does the vendor provide Traditional Chinese operational training and troubleshooting manuals? How will operational knowledge be retained when frontline staff leave?
08
Software requires ongoing updates
A robot is not a one-time purchase: navigation algorithms, security patches, and system compatibility depend on ongoing manufacturer updates. Confirm whether updates are chargeable, how long support lasts, and whether the equipment will become unsupported when updates end.