Start with one useful task
Find your robot opportunity
Tell us what you want to achieve. Build a practical brief, understand the questions that matter and explore your next step.
Where is the robot’s “brain”?
On the robot
Some task functions may run onboard. Setup, updates or support can still require a connection. Confirm each function separately.
On your premises
A local computer can perform some processing. It adds power, networking, maintenance and recovery requirements.
Off site
A cloud service may handle reasoning, fleet tools or other functions. Check connection quality, data flows, subscriptions and outage behaviour.
A system may mix all three. Moving data to the cloud is different from allowing someone to control the robot remotely. Ask about both. Offline operation also needs physical, software and update controls.
Make the expectations part of the purchase.
Ask for the charger and site power requirements; the function-by-function connection requirements; the data and access arrangements; and a priced list of equipment, software and human support. These should describe your configuration, not just the product family.
Readiness questions developed by Robodromo, drawing on NCSC guidance on controlled connectivity and the energy and control questions raised by Ember’s slides 86 and 96. Checked 17 September 2026.