Vetting a Robot Maker

Track record before specs

Ask for deployments, not demos. A maker with robots running at customer sites can share reference contacts, uptime figures and the problems it has already fixed. Be wary of companies whose only evidence is videos or trade-show appearances. For newer categories such as humanoids, a paid pilot with clear success measures is a fair substitute for a long track record, as long as the maker agrees to those measures in writing.

Paperwork that travels

Check that the robot carries the safety and radio approvals your country requires, such as CE marking in Europe, FCC authorization in the United States or BIS registration in India where it applies. Ask for the test reports, not just the logos. Confirm battery shipping documents and data-protection terms too, since these hold up customs and procurement more often than the robot itself does.

Support where you operate

Find out who fixes the robot when it stops, and how fast. Ask about spare-parts stock in your region, remote diagnostics, the firmware update policy and whether local integrators are trained on the product. A maker with no service presence near you can still work if a partner covers support, but agree who is responsible before the order, not after the first breakdown.

Sources and further reading

• ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Information security management systems — International Organization for Standardization.
  The information security management standard, a check on how a maker protects data and remote access.
• ISO 9001:2026 Quality management systems: Requirements — International Organization for Standardization.
  The current edition of the quality management standard, a baseline question for any robot maker.
• NIST SP 800-161 Rev. 1: Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management Practices — National Institute of Standards and Technology.
  Guidance on judging suppliers' cybersecurity risks, useful when vetting makers of connected robots.

Common questions

How do I check a robot maker's finances?

Ask for funding history, revenue scale and major customers, and look up public filings where they exist. Short-lived makers leave robots without updates or spares.

Does THG vet the makers it lists?

Yes. THG Verified checks makers' documents, certifications, factories, security and privacy before their robots carry the badge.