Emerging Practice

Robotics & Automation

In 2009, we deployed the first commercial wireless lighting control system. Now we're preparing for the next building technology revolution: autonomous robots in commercial facilities.

Our Thesis

Robots are entering commercial buildings the same way networked lighting did 15 years ago. Cleaning robots, security patrols, inventory scanners, and delivery bots are moving from pilots to production deployments.

"Buildings don't just need robots — they need someone who understands both the robots AND the building."

That integration layer — deployment, commissioning, building integration, fleet management, and ongoing support — is the gap we see. It's the same gap we filled for wireless lighting controls starting in 2009.

We're actively building expertise in this space to bring the same level of service we've delivered for smart building controls to the robotics frontier.

Pattern Recognition

We've Seen This Before

The parallels between networked lighting (2009) and commercial robotics (2025) are striking.

2009 — Wireless Lighting Controls

When Lights Got Smart

  • ZigBee wireless mesh networks in buildings
  • Sensors embedded in every fixture
  • Cloud platforms for monitoring and control
  • Integration with BMS and HVAC
  • New skills needed: commissioning, configuration, support
  • Building owners needed trusted integrators
2025 — Commercial Robotics

When Robots Enter Buildings

  • WiFi/5G/private LTE connectivity
  • LiDAR, cameras, SLAM navigation
  • Fleet management platforms
  • Integration with elevators, doors, access control
  • New skills needed: deployment, mapping, fleet ops
  • Building owners need trusted integrators
Market Opportunity

Robot Types Entering Commercial Buildings

These categories are moving from pilot programs to production deployments in facilities we already serve.

🧹

Cleaning & Scrubbing

Autonomous floor scrubbers and vacuums for warehouses, retail, and commercial facilities.

🛡️

Security & Patrol

Autonomous patrol robots for facility monitoring, after-hours security, and incident detection.

📦

Material Handling

AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots) for warehouse logistics, picking, and goods-to-person systems.

📋

Inventory & Scanning

Robots that autonomously scan shelves, track inventory, and identify stockouts.

🚚

Delivery & Transport

Indoor delivery robots for offices, hospitals, and hotels. Last-mile outdoor delivery.

🔬

Disinfection

UV-C disinfection robots for healthcare, hospitality, and high-traffic facilities.

What We Bring

Building Automation Expertise That Transfers

18 years of deploying networked systems in commercial buildings creates a foundation for robotics integration.

Facility Understanding

We know how warehouses, offices, and retail spaces operate. Traffic patterns, workflows, and pain points.

10M+ sq ft deployed

Network Infrastructure

Wireless network design, coverage planning, and connectivity — the backbone robots need to operate.

LoRaWAN, WiFi, Cellular

Vendor Management

Experience managing technology vendors, commissioning expectations, and ongoing support relationships.

Current, mwConnect, Milesight

Building Integration

BMS, HVAC, access control, elevators — we understand the systems robots need to interact with.

BACnet, API, 0-10V

Fleet Thinking

Managing hundreds of networked devices across a facility. Monitoring, alerting, and remote diagnostics.

Cloud Platforms

Commissioning Discipline

Methodical deployment, documentation, training, and handoff. The same rigor robots require.

18 Years Experience
Our Approach

How We're Building This Practice

We're approaching robotics the same way we approached lighting controls in 2009 — by going deep before going wide.

1. Learn

Actively building hands-on expertise with commercial robotics platforms, fleet management, and deployment methodologies.

2. Partner

Identifying robot manufacturers and software platforms that need building-savvy integrators in their ecosystem.

3. Deploy

Bring the same commissioning discipline we've perfected over 18 years to robotics deployments.

Interested in This Space?

Whether you're a robot manufacturer looking for integration partners, a facility exploring automation, or just want to talk about where this is heading — we'd love to connect.

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