Getting Started with Sharebot

General

What is Sharebot?

Sharebot is a peer-to-peer marketplace designed to connect people who own robotic equipment with individuals and businesses who want to rent them for specific tasks. We provide the platform to facilitate these connections and ensure secure payments.

Is Sharebot a rental company?

No. Sharebot is a neutral platform, not a rental company. We do not own, operate, or endorse any of the equipment listed. The rental agreement is a private contract directly between the equipment's Provider and the Renter.

Who can use the Sharebot platform?

To join our community, you must be at least 18 years old and have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts.

Renting vs. Other Options

How is Sharebot different from a robots-as-a-service (RaaS) subscription?

RaaS providers bundle one manufacturer's robots into a subscription that typically runs $300 to $2,000 or more per robot per month, usually on one-to-three-year contracts. Sharebot is a marketplace: you rent the exact robot you need from an independent owner by the day, week, or month, with no long-term contract and no single-brand lock-in. Many businesses use a short Sharebot rental to pilot automation before committing to a purchase or a RaaS subscription.

Is it cheaper to rent a robot than to buy one?

Buying a commercial robot typically costs $20,000 to $250,000 or more up front, before storage, maintenance, and depreciation. Renting converts that into a daily rate you pay only while the robot is working. For short projects, seasonal peaks, and pilots, renting is usually far cheaper — and if you do need a robot year-round, a rental first lets you confirm the numbers on your own site before you buy.

Can I try a robot before buying one?

Yes — try-before-you-buy is one of the most common ways businesses use Sharebot. Rent the model you are considering for a week or a month, measure coverage, quality, and labor savings in your own facility, then make the purchase or subscription decision with real data instead of a spec sheet.

How quickly can I get a robot through Sharebot?

You book directly with the equipment's owner, so a rental can start as soon as you both arrange handoff — often within days. Traditional automation procurement and RaaS deployments commonly quote lead times measured in weeks or months, which makes the marketplace a faster way to cover an urgent project, an event, or a seasonal spike.

What does it cost to rent a robot?

Every listing on Sharebot shows the owner's exact daily price up front. As market context, compact robots and robot dogs commonly rent for a few hundred dollars a day, commercial cleaning and inspection equipment often works out cheaper by the week or month, and fully staffed event humanoids from dedicated agencies can run $500 or more per hour. Owners frequently offer better effective rates for longer rentals — message them through Sharebot to discuss terms.

For Renters: Using a Robot

How do I rent a robot?

Simply create an account, browse the available listings for the equipment you need, and use our secure platform to contact the Provider and arrange the rental. All payments are handled safely through Sharebot using Stripe.

Do I need insurance to rent equipment?

While insurance is not required, we encourage renters and buyers to carry appropriate insurance coverage.

How can I be sure the equipment is safe and works properly?

Providers are responsible for providing accurate descriptions and maintaining their equipment. However, Sharebot does not independently inspect or verify any listings. We strongly recommend you communicate directly with the Provider, ask for detailed information or a demonstration, and perform a visual inspection before use.

For Providers: Listing Your Robot

How do I list my robotic equipment for rent?

First, register an account and sign up to become a provider. To create a listing, you'll need to provide a complete and accurate description of your equipment, its capabilities, and the total rental price, including any extra charges like delivery or security deposits.

How do I get paid for a rental?

Sharebot acts as your dedicated payment collection agent. We process the full payment from the Renter and remit your earnings to you monthly, after subtracting the Sharebot service fee.

How much can my robot earn when it is not in use?

That depends on your equipment and local demand, but idle robotics is real inventory: event companies charge hundreds to thousands of dollars per day for humanoids and robot dogs, and commercial equipment commonly rents by the week or month. Listing on Sharebot costs nothing up front — Sharebot's provider fee applies only when a rental is completed — so equipment that would otherwise sit between jobs can generate income instead.

Am I responsible for taxes on my rental income?

Yes. As a Provider, you are solely responsible for determining your tax obligations (such as income or sales tax) and remitting them to the appropriate authorities. Sharebot does not handle taxes on your behalf or provide tax advice.

Fees and Payments

What are Sharebot's fees?

For Renters, we charge a platform service fee on every transaction, calculated as 3.5% of the total rental cost or $2, whichever is greater. For Providers, we charge a service fee on every transaction, calculated as 10% of the total rental cost or $5, whichever is greater. We process payments securely via Stripe.