Next big thing for robotics startups? Focusing on software for AI integration, says Asylon cofounder

Some of the robotics industry’s biggest strides forward don’t have anything to do with hardware. 

Software is now playing a key role in the sector, said Damon Henry, CEO and cofounder of security robotics startup Asylon. He shared that insight on the Founding Philly podcast, where he joined Joe Biancaniello, vice president at J.P. Morgan’s technology and disruptive commerce group.

Startups working at this intersection of hardware and software have the opportunity to be real game-changers, according to the banking professional.

“A robot is really where hardware meets software, and frankly, artificial intelligence,” Biancaniello said. Companies like Asylon use “data that is illuminated from the robots to then make decisions and transform entire environments for safety and productivity.”

CEO Henry, an MIT grad and aerospace engineer, began his career at industry giants like GE and Boeing. Inspired by the rise of commercial drones, he and his cofounder established Asylon in 2015. 

Initially focusing on basic drone technology for security tasks, Asylon’s product line now includes security dogs and agile robots — and software that runs them.

Headquartered in Norristown, Pa., about 20 miles northwest of Philadelphia, the young company notched a partnership with Boston Dynamics, which uses its DroneDog software. Asylon recently celebrated 100,000 “missions” completed with the combined hardware/software tech, serving customers in the logistics, manufacturing, energy and military sectors.

Over time, Henry said, he learned to think of hardware as a means to enhance software capabilities. Software, he said, augments the functionality of physical assets, for example by collecting data that can inform business decisions.  

“At the end of the day, data is king,” Henry said. “The way you get there is software, but you need the hardware component.”

Meshing these philosophies is one way to attract venture capitalists who may be more inclined to invest in software startups because of SaaS companies’ reputations for success. 

And VCs, who are familiar with the unique challenges of the robotics sector — including longer development cycles and higher initial costs — are crucial in securing the necessary capital and strategic guidance for growth in the capital-intensive field. 

“Robotics is really doing what the operating systems did, but for the physical world,” Henry said. “We really see ourselves as connecting all of these different pieces together, ultimately, merging robotics into this legacy industry that already has technology established.”

Listen to the full podcast to hear Henry and Biancaniello share their perspectives on the robotics industry and the crucial role software and data play in shaping its future.