RobotLAB
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Industry | Robotics, Education & Businesses |
---|---|
Founded | 2007 |
Founder | Elad Inbar |
Headquarters | |
Website | www |
RobotLAB is an American robotics integration company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, specializing in proprietary multi-robot systems and full-service deployment. The company supports K-12 and higher education institutions, along with commercial sectors such as retail, hospitality, and healthcare, as well as public-sector clients including school districts, libraries, and government agencies.[1][2][3]
RobotLAB is the only franchised robotics integrator in the United States and operates over 30 locations nationwide.[3] The company is recognized for proprietary multi-robot systems—such as ServeSwift and Robot‑On‑Call—that automate delivery and bussing processes in restaurants and hospitality environments,[4] and for full integration of humanoid robots like Pepper, and NAO including custom programming, training, and support.[2]
RobotLAB is a Google partner and powers Google Expeditions.[5][6]
Overview
[edit]In addition to distributing SoftBank’s Pepper, Nao,[7] and Whiz robots,[8][9][10][11] which can be used as personal assistants and educational tools, RobotLAB also provides educational robots designed for use in K-12 and other classrooms.[12] Their robots are programmed to help instructors teach subjects such as STEM.[13][14][15]
In 2020, Google announced their discontinuation of their virtual field trips app Google Expeditions. RobotLAB, as Google's partner for Expeditions, created a substitute in partnership with Avantis. The Google Expeditions alternative was named VR Expeditions 2.0.[5][6] RobotLAB also provides robots for assistance for use in retail, medical[16] and other types of businesses.[17]
RobotLAB provides hotel robots capable of delivering items to guests, sanitizing rooms, and handling luggage, with LG Electronics serving as the managing entity of its commercial deployment in North America.[18]
History
[edit]RobotLAB was founded by Elad Inbar,[17] who is also the CEO of Robot App Store, under the name RobotsLAB in Israel in 2007.[19] The company was originally conceptualized as the educational division of Robot App Store.[20][21] The company eventually spun off into a separate entity and relocated to San Francisco in 2011 and changed its name to RobotLAB Inc.[19]
The company developed a STEM teaching tool, called the RobotsLAB Box.[20] RobotLAB won Robotic Business Review's Game Changer Award for Education in 2013.[22][23]
In 2014, RobotLAB released STEM-BOT 3D, a 3D-printed robot that students can assemble and program.[24][25] in 2014, RobotLAB also won the LAUNCHedu competition from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation at the SXSW EDU[26][27][28] and Kaplan's EdTech Accelerator award.[29]
In 2016, RobtLAB received the Inc 5000 fastest-growing private company award and also ranked first in educational technology category.[30]
In 2020, RobotLAB released VR Expeditions 2.0, an alternative to Google's Expeditions app and also partnered with Avantis to develop applications for ClassVR, a VR platform designed for use in the classroom.[5]
In 2021, RobotLAB became the distributor of their Pepper, Nao, and Whiz robots.[8][9][10][11] In the same year, the Roanoke County Public Library partnered with RobotLAB to create content and programming for Pepper robots used for library purposes.[31][32]
RobotLAB also partnered with Curious Technologies, in 2021, to distribute the Elias robot model, which is an artificial intelligence designed for language learning.[33]
In 2023, RobotLAB introduced a franchise model to expand its national footprint, allowing entrepreneurs to open and operate RobotLAB locations across the United States. This model complements the company's organic growth through corporate-owned locations and aims to accelerate scalability.[34]
In June 2025, RobotLAB launched the NAO AI Edition, integrating ChatGPT into its NAO and Pepper robots to enhance natural-language interaction capabilities.[35]
References
[edit]- ^ "RobotLAB Homepage". RobotLAB. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
- ^ a b "RobotLAB Industries & Capabilities". RobotLAB. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
- ^ a b "RobotLAB Franchise Locations". RobotLAB Blog. 2025-06-03. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
- ^ Staff (2024-06-05). "RobotLAB launches two automated systems for restaurant industry". Verdict Foodservice. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
- ^ a b c "RobotLAB partners with Avantis to expand its educational virtual field trips through ClassVR". December 8, 2020.
- ^ a b "Looking for a Google Expeditions Replacement? Check Out These 2 AR/VR Tools | ISTE". www.iste.org.
- ^ Papaneophytou, Neophytos; Das, Undurti N. (2021-06-10). Emerging Programs for Autism Spectrum Disorder: Improving Communication, Behavior, and Family Dynamics. Academic Press. p. 268. ISBN 978-0-323-85977-6.
- ^ a b "SoftBank's robotics ambitions short circuit as Pepper loses power". Reuters. July 21, 2021.
- ^ a b "Where did SoftBank go wrong with Pepper?". Inside Retail. July 22, 2021.
- ^ a b "RobotLAB and SoftBank Robotics America Partner to Offer Pepper, NAO, and Whiz in North America". Robotics 24/7. 2021-06-20. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
- ^ a b "Momentum builds in AI analytics platforms and robotics". constructionglobal.com. 2021-08-04. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
- ^ "RobotLAB introduces Engage! K–12 Platform for Teaching with Robots -". THE Journal. 2017-01-31.
- ^ Ascione, Laura (2020-02-05). "11 resources for STEM, STEAM, and makerspaces". eSchool News. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
- ^ Marshall, Elisha (2014-04-03). "How RobotsLAB is Improving Education with Robots". edisonawards.com.
- ^ "Robots in the Classroom: What Are They Good For?". KQED. 2014-05-27.
- ^ Butnaru, Denisa (2020-06-30). Medial Bodies between Fiction and Faction: Reinventing Corporeality. transcript Verlag. p. 54. ISBN 978-3-8394-4729-1.
- ^ a b "NAO Is Your Tiny Robot Servant". techcrunch.com. 2014-09-09.
- ^ "Robots on Your Roster". Today’s Hotelier. 2024-01-10. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ^ a b Brewster, Signe (December 12, 2013). "How robots can teach children math and inspire interest in the STEM fields". Gigaom.[dead link]
- ^ a b "RobotsLab Wants to Put a Box of Robots in Every Classroom". IEEE Spectrum. February 6, 2013.
- ^ Temple, James (May 25, 2013). "Robot App Store's growing pains". SFGATE.
- ^ "RoboBusiness 2013 in Silicon Valley". Silicon Valley Robotics. 2013-10-24.
- ^ "Robotics Business Review announces winners of the First Annual Game Changer Awards". www.mmh.com. 2013-10-23. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
- ^ "Video Friday: Google's Project Tango, Visual Servoing, and Valkyrie at Work". IEEE Spectrum. February 21, 2014.
- ^ "STEM Education Gets Boost from RobotsLAB". Robotics Business Review. January 1, 2015.
- ^ "Launch Competition History". sxswedu.com. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
- ^ "RobotLAB - San Francisco, CA". Inc.com.
- ^ "The Ten 2014 LAUNCHedu Finalists - EdSurge News". EdSurge. January 7, 2014.
- ^ "Demo Day: Meet Kaplan's 11 Startups In Its 2014 EdTech Accelerator Class". Techli. 2014-10-23. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
- ^ "28 of the 500 fastest growing private businesses in the U.S. are from Bay Area". bizjournals.com. 2016-08-17. Retrieved 2021-11-09.
- ^ Tyree, Elizabeth (August 29, 2018). "Roanoke libraries recruits humanoid robot". WSET.
- ^ "Pepper, the Humanoid Robot". roanokecountyva.gov. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
- ^ "Finnish educators are forming partnerships to advance learning around the world". worldakkam.com. May 6, 2021. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
- ^ "Looking to Scale, RobotLab Enters Franchise Space". Food On Demand. 2023-06-07. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
- ^ "RobotLAB pledges 'zero disruption' to servicing Aldebaran robots". Robotics & Automation News. 2025-06-09. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
- Educational technology
- Virtual reality organizations
- Technology companies based in the San Francisco Bay Area
- American companies established in 2007
- Companies based in San Francisco
- Electronics companies established in 2007
- Robotics companies of the United States
- Technology companies established in 2007
- 2007 establishments in California