Robot workers for warehouses now start at $14 an hour

A startup called Tutor Intelligence says it will rent robots that do factory and warehouse work for as little as $14 an hour. The company just announced a $75 million Series B round, which is a large funding round for a young company. The round was led by Andreessen Horowitz, a well-known venture capital firm.

What the company does

Tutor Intelligence rents robots instead of selling them. The robots handle tasks in factories and warehouses. Pricing starts at $14 an hour, so a business pays for time worked, much like paying a worker by the hour.

Why it matters

Many small and mid-sized businesses have repetitive physical work, such as moving, sorting or packing goods. Hourly pricing makes a robot easier to compare against hiring. A business does not have to buy expensive equipment up front to try the idea.

What is not known yet

The full article was not available, so key details are unclear. The headline hints at a catch, but the material does not say what it is. It also does not list which tasks the robots can do, what the $14 rate includes, or what higher tiers might cost.

• What the catch is behind the $14 hourly price
• Which exact jobs the robots can handle
• Whether setup, training or support cost extra

What to do

Owners with repetitive physical work can watch this space. Ask any robot provider for the full price, the tasks covered and the contract terms before comparing it to a wage.