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<\/p>\nDroidDepot founder Sef Mutari is betting that robotics will be a key part of the future.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He launched the Tampa Bay area-based company just a few months ago. The organization helps customers rent, demo, lease or buy commercial robots, and provides fit checks and deployment support. Currently, Mutari and his team are working on pilot projects.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For Mutari, it was only fitting to join the St. Petersburg-based spARK Labs by ARK Invest incubator. An official announcement was made last month.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI was looking at the current developments in the world with artificial intelligence and robotics and I felt that, especially here locally, we need to create economies around robotics,\u201d Mutari explained. \u201cWe can embrace these technologies and build new jobs here in the Tampa Bay area.\u201d<\/p>\n
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DroidDepot founder Sef Mutari. Photo provided.<\/p>\n
For example, he discussed how robots can be leased in a similar way to vehicles. This could become a sustainable industry in the region, Mutari believes. More so, it can help \u201cincrease performance and lower the cost for businesses and people to do their jobs.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom an economic perspective, automation always wins,\u201d he said. \u201cThe train will not stop. If we don\u2019t do it, someone else will do it, especially from outside of the United States. I think we need to basically invest more, automate and make humans\u2019 lives easier, especially with regards to repetitive jobs.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mutari explained that there is a big gap in the market. Many manufacturers do not know where to deploy their products or what the best use cases are. Currently, DroidDepot is working with United States-based robotics startups to supply the products to customers.\u00a0 However, the organization has also developed its own robotic design.\u00a0<\/p>\n
People can go to DroidDepot\u2019s website and browse a selection of robots. Mutari said that individuals can provide more information on use cases, their budget and other factors to help choose a machine. Artificial intelligence will then help ensure that the selected product can complete the tasks per the customer\u2019s specifications.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before launching DroidDepot, Mutari knew ARK Invest founder Cathie Wood and spARK Labs by ARK Invest president and CEO Becca Brown.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWith how they see the future, I felt that the best thing I could do was join spARK Labs,\u201d he explained. \u201cI\u2019m getting access to the network, community and have a place there, basically if needed, where we can build the robotics.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mutari added that he is in conversations with the University of South Florida to \u201cget more resources to get this going.\u201d The backend for the business, he said, is complicated because it involves both hardware and software.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The brainstorm sessions at spARK Labs by ARK Invest have helped Mutari understand \u201cwhat other founders are going through from an operational standpoint.\u201d He added that the experience has provided invaluable feedback and help.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving a community, especially for a founder, is really important,\u201d Mutari added. \u201cSometimes you feel like you are lost or basically lonely.\u201d<\/p>\n
The incubator has also helped him position the business in the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cRobotics will play an increasingly important role across industries, helping businesses automate critical functions, improve productivity and solve complex operational challenges,\u201d said Brown in a statement prepared for the Catalyst. \u201cDroidDepot\u2019s enterprise-focused model is a great example of how robotics is moving from possibility to practical application, and we\u2019re excited to have Sef building that future here in St. Petersburg.\u201d<\/p>\n