From kitchen appliances to delivery robots and humanoids, the global robotics industry is growing at a remarkable rate. By 2027, it is projected to be worth over 43 billion dollars. Rapid advancements in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and automation fuel this growth, proving that robots are not just futuristic concepts but important aspects of modern society.
To put it into perspective, there are over 1.2 million Non-Industrial robots and 3.4 million Industrial Robots in our world today, illustrating just how essential robots have become to society. Yet, despite the rapidly growing industry, supply and demand of robotic and AI products are severely lacking.
Noticing this gap, Dr. Fatemeh Tonimoghadam sought to provide a solution.
Born in Iran, a country on route to being in the Top 10 AI Nations by 2032, Dr. Tonimoghadam believes that robots can provide people with helpful solutions; from vacuuming to providing companionship and entertainment, robots have quickly proven their transformative abilities. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, an MBA, an MPM (Master's Degree in Project Management) from Penn State University), a Doctorate in Engineering Management from George Washington University, and extensive entrepreneurial experience including founding the Sobhan Institute of Higher Education, Dr. Tonimoghadam has long been committed to being at the forefront of the robotics industry
Today, she is the Founder and CEO of RoboLodge LLC, a California-based company on a mission to disseminate robotic information worldwide while providing a unified online hub for robot and AI products. Home to over 1,000 robots listed on its website, RoboLodge is a comprehensive robotics encyclopedia where "consumers can see what types of robots are in the market and educate themselves on how they work," explains Dr. Tonimoghadam.
She adds that RoboLodge is unique for its 3D reality virtual mall that allows consumers to "try before you buy" various robot products. The platform is easy to use for consumers interested in detailed information on robot products to become educated before purchasing—without concerns about quality.
But more than that, the immersive 3D virtual mall provides manufacturers with an omnichannel selling platform—the first of its kind. "It is a futurized marketplace where you can see all types of robots in a 3D version and an extended reality version," she says.
"You can see robots in their augmented reality environments and interact with them," she continues. This 3D feature is a game-changer for both consumers and manufacturers: consumers are given a better opportunity to understand a robot's functions and capabilities, leading to fewer chances of returns, and as an aggregator, RoboLodge provides a streamlined platform for small business manufacturers to market and sell their products.
How does it work? Manufacturers can rent and design a virtual store under their brand identity and display their products in 3D or XR, and when a consumer is ready to buy one of the products, they simply click on the item to be redirected to the original website to finalize the purchasing process.
According to Dr. Tonimoghadam, one of the biggest challenges she's encountered in the robotic and AI industry is a lack of informative and easily accessible hubs for robot products, especially when it comes to smaller, niche businesses in the space. As the industry continues to evolve, this has caused an imbalance in supply and demand for the US market.
"That's why our platform helps fill in those gaps," she emphasizes. "Being part of this platform helps small businesses more easily bring their innovation to consumers to showcase their products and educate them," Dr. Tonimoghadam says.
"A lot of people don't know which types of robots exist in the market or which types would best suit their needs. For example, some robot vacuum cleaners come with a mop for cleaning hardwood floors, while others have stronger suction and specialized brushes for lifting embedded dirt and debris from carpet fibers," she explains. "But a lot of people are just not familiar."
Dr. Tonimoghadam shares another exciting feature (soon-to-be-released) of RoboLodge that makes robots more accessible to the wider population—an AI Copilot designed to provide consumers with the best products by listening to and understanding their specific needs.
"For example, a consumer going to the website can say, 'Hey ROBO, I need a vacuum cleaner robot with this amount of decibel noise, and it needs to be this height and this color, and according to the database that we have in our website, the chatbot will suggest suitable options,'" she explains.
Since 2023, RoboLodge has been a member of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), further signifying the company's commitment to advancing society's collective understanding of robotics. The company recently participated at Collision 2024 as part of the startup program—one of the world's largest tech conferences—where it unveiled advanced solutions to transform the industry, focusing on addressing critical challenges consumers and manufacturers face. The expo was a success for the company, resulting in exciting connections between VCs eager to invest in RoboLodge.
"Our participation at Collision 2024 underscores RoboLodge as an avenue to access the latest technological advancements in robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence, opening up a world of possibilities that can improve your daily life," says Dr. Tonimoghadam.
"I'm a person that believes robotics should encompass everyday life," she concludes.
To discover the world of robots and find the ideal product, visit RoboLodge's website here. For interested investors and manufacturers, visit this link.
