WANT an employee who turns up on time, is reliable and never answers back?

Well, a Halesowen firm has the answer: they are renting out robots - and at less than half the minimum wage.

Bots Automation, based at Mucklow Hill, has launched a robotics hire scheme that lets firms rent a robot from £2.70 an hour.

Their robots can help perform tasks including assembly, painting, injection molding, screwing, picking and placing.

Firms can hire as many robots as they want.

But Tim Warrington, chief executive officer of Bots Automation, said: “Most clients will start out with one robot, to see how it goes, usually before hiring or buying multiple numbers.”

Productivity is easy to measure too, adds Tim.

He explains: "Whether a customer is taking their first steps into robotics, or wishes to increase their existing automation levels, we are able to advise the most suitable way to implement the robot into the business.

"Whether you are buying or hiring, we offer training and programming upon delivery, and each robot comes with a Productivity & Measurement App that monitors and reports its performance.”

Tim believes his 'Bots' are ideal for business who are reluctant to make significant investment in capital equipment until the full implications of Brexit have been identified.

He adds: "Our range of collaborative robots can be hired on a flexible, zero investment scheme from as little as £2.70 per hour of use, with no minimum hire period."

Bots Automation, which also sells its robots as well as hiring them out, is not stopping at factory jobs either.

Plans are afoot to introduce a range of humanoid robots that can serve drinks, take photos, display digital messages, provide consultative information, and even act as a receptionist.

Additionally, the company is currently working on a Robot Bar, in which a robot mixes and serves cocktails for the guests.

Robot rental is already popular in the US thanks to businesses such as Hirebotics, but Tim believes Bots Automation is the first in the UK to offer such a scheme to businesses.

He has secured a £1m investment to help drive forward this exciting new venture, and says: ”Bots Automation wants to advance its partnership with the UK robotics and entertainment industry in the future.”

Visit https://bots.co.uk/ for more.