Costs & ROI
6 Questions & Answers
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) encompasses all costs over the entire service life:
1. Acquisition Costs (one-time):
- Robot hardware: EUR 15,000-180,000 depending on type
- Commissioning and mapping: EUR 2,000-10,000
- Integration (WMS, API): EUR 5,000-50,000
- Training: EUR 1,000-5,000
2. Recurring Costs (annual):
- Maintenance & inspection: 5-10% of purchase price
- Software licenses/updates: EUR 2,000-8,000/year
- Electricity: EUR 300-800/year
- Insurance: EUR 500-2,000/year
- Spare parts (brushes, wheels, sensors): EUR 1,000-3,000/year
3. Replacement Investments:
- Battery replacement after 3-5 years: EUR 2,000-8,000
- Sensor upgrades: as needed
TCO Example (5 years, mid-range cleaning robot):
- Acquisition: EUR 45,000
- Recurring (5 years): EUR 50,000
- Total TCO: ~EUR 95,000 = EUR 19,000/year
Calculate your individual TCO with the Botomix ROI Calculator.
Return on Investment (ROI) can be calculated using the following method:
ROI Formula:
ROI = (Annual Savings - Annual Robot Costs) / Investment x 100
Step-by-Step Calculation:
1. Determine Current Cleaning Costs:
- Labor costs: Hourly rate x Hours/day x Working days/year
- Example: EUR 18/h x 6h/day x 250 days = EUR 27,000/year
2. Calculate Robot Costs:
- Depreciation (5 years): EUR 40,000 / 5 = EUR 8,000/year
- Maintenance: EUR 3,500/year
- Electricity: EUR 500/year
- Staff supervision (1h/day): EUR 4,500/year
- Total: EUR 16,500/year
3. Calculate ROI:
- Savings: EUR 27,000 - EUR 16,500 = EUR 10,500/year
- ROI: 10,500 / 40,000 x 100 = 26.3% annually
- Payback period: ~3.8 years
Non-Monetary Benefits (often underestimated):
- Consistent quality, 24/7 availability
- Documented cleaning protocols
- Reduction in workplace accidents
Use the Botomix ROI Calculator for your customized calculation.
Yes, various funding programs exist across Europe:
German Federal Programs:
- Digital Jetzt: Up to 50% funding for SMEs (digitalization)
- KfW Loans: ERP digitalization loans from 1% interest
- go-digital: Consulting funding up to EUR 16,500
- ZIM (Central Innovation Programme for SMEs): For innovative robotics projects
EU Funding Programs:
- Horizon Europe: For research and innovation projects
- Digital Europe Programme: For AI and robotics
- EFRE: Regional EU structural fund support
Other European Programs:
- UK: Innovate UK grants, R&D tax credits
- France: BPI France innovation financing
- Netherlands: MIT (SME Innovation Top Sectors)
- Nordics: Various national innovation agencies
Tips for Successful Applications:
- Research early (funding pools are often limited)
- Engage a funding consultant (significantly increases approval rates)
- Frame robotics as a digitalization measure
- Check for combining multiple funding programs
Contact Botomix for guidance on suitable funding options.
Both models have advantages and disadvantages:
Purchase:
| Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|
| Lower cost long-term | High upfront investment |
| Full control | Technology risk (obsolescence) |
| Asset on balance sheet | Maintenance responsibility |
| Tax depreciation | Capital tied up |
Leasing/Rental (RaaS - Robotics-as-a-Service):
| Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|
| Low upfront costs | More expensive long-term |
| Maintenance often included | No ownership |
| Flexibly scalable | Provider dependency |
| Always current technology | Contract commitments |
| Tax-deductible as operating expense |
Recommendation by Situation:
- Purchase: When the robot will be deployed >3 years and capital is available
- Leasing: For first-time users, pilot projects, or fast-growing companies
- RaaS: When maximum flexibility is desired and technology risk should be minimized
Compare offers from various manufacturers on Botomix and request quotes directly.
Beyond the purchase price, the following costs should be budgeted:
Frequently Overlooked Cost Items:
Network Infrastructure (EUR 1,000-10,000):
- Dedicated WiFi network for robots
- Access points in warehouses/corridors
Floor Modifications (EUR 500-5,000):
- Removing thresholds, installing ramps
- Floor markings for charging stations
Software Licenses (EUR 2,000-8,000/year):
- Fleet management software
- Cloud services and updates
- Some manufacturers require annual licenses
Staff Costs for Supervision:
- 30-60 minutes daily for monitoring and cleaning the robot
- Troubleshooting during malfunctions
Insurance (EUR 500-2,000/year):
- Liability for autonomous systems
- Electronics insurance
Downtime Costs:
- Backup solution during maintenance/repair
- Lead times for spare parts (1-4 weeks)
Training Costs (EUR 1,000-3,000):
- Initial training at commissioning
- Refresher training for staff turnover
Use the Botomix ROI Calculator for a comprehensive cost overview.
Payback periods vary significantly by deployment scenario:
Typical Payback Periods:
- Cleaning Robots: 2-4 years (with daily use, >1,000 m2)
- Service Robots (hospitality): 12-24 months (with high utilization)
- Transport AMR (logistics): 18-36 months (with multi-shift operation)
- Disinfection Robots: 12-18 months (especially in healthcare)
Factors That Accelerate Payback:
- Multi-shift operation (2-3 shifts instead of 1)
- High labor costs at the deployment location
- Large-scale deployment
- High utilization (>6 hours/day)
Factors That Slow Payback:
- Seasonal use (e.g., summer only)
- Frequent disruptions due to complex environments
- Low labor costs at the deployment location
- Small deployment area
Tip: The fastest payback is achieved when the robot works during times when staff is expensive or unavailable (night shifts, weekends, holidays).
Calculate your individual payback with the Botomix ROI Calculator.