The Hidden Cash Flow Problem in Robotics

With the robotics and hardware industry aiming for a massive $218 billion global market by 2030, there’s never been more excitement - or pressure - for companies to deliver. Groundbreaking automation, AI-powered platforms, and next-gen robots are rolling out every year. But behind the scenes, there’s a very human challenge that can slow even the most innovative teams: cash flow.

If you work in (or with) robotics, you probably know the feeling. Projects are big, sales cycles are long, and payments often take months to arrive. For most companies, that means capital gets locked up after delivery, and it adds up fast. In fact, nearly 9 in 10 U.S. businesses say payment processes are slow and a headache. For robotics, where each sale can be worth millions, the problem has real consequences: tough choices between funding Research and Development (R&D), hiring talent, or just keeping payroll steady.

So, why is cash flow such a headache in this industry, and what can companies do to fix it? Let’s break it down.

Why Robotics Cash Flow Gets Complicated

Robotics isn’t like software or services. Building, selling, and delivering automated systems takes serious up-front investment. Think expensive sensors, hardware, and engineering hours. A single project can take 6 to 18 months (or longer) to get over the finish line, and most robotics buyers expect to pay well after the delivery is complete.

That means robotics companies are often waiting on large invoices for months. Any delay - whether from a missed milestone, extra approval step, or just slow processing- can throw everything off. One late payment can leave teams scrambling to cover costs or pausing work on the next big innovation. Working with international clients can make things even trickier, with currency differences and banking delays adding extra challenges.

The Real Cost of Slow Payments

When money isn’t coming in as expected, companies have to make hard choices. Do you press pause on a new robot prototype? Delay hiring next month’s engineer? Tap into expensive financing just to make payroll? These aren’t hypotheticals, they’re daily realities for many robotics businesses.

Let’s put it into perspective:

• Interest adds up fast: Waiting on a $3 million payment? Short-term loans or credit lines can quickly eat into profits.
• Innovation slows down: R&D, new hires, and product launches can’t move forward if the cash isn’t there.
• Missed opportunities: In a fast-moving space, waiting on payments can mean letting competitors get ahead.
  

Why Traditional Payment Methods Fail

Robotics deals rarely follow a simple pattern. Payments are usually tied to milestones - a prototype delivered here, a system installed there. With every milestone comes paperwork, chasing approvals, and (too often) confusion around who needs to sign off.

Teams can spend hours (sometimes days!) each week just managing invoices, tracking down payments, and checking bank transfers. All of that admin eats up valuable time and opens the door to mistakes. Worse, it can hurt customer relationships when issues crop up or projects slow down.

A Smarter Way Forward: Modern Payment Solutions

The good news? Payment technology is catching up. Robotics companies are starting to turn to solutions like automated invoicing, digital contract approvals, and even B2B buy now, pay later (BNPL) - to take control of cash flow.

Here’s how modern payment tools can help:

• Automated invoicing and tracking keep projects on schedule and cut down on manual work.
• Flexible credit and leasing options get you paid upfront, while giving customers more breathing room to pay.
• Real-time visibility helps you spot issues early, plan confidently, and worry less about surprise delays.
• Risk management tools reduce exposure to late or failed payments (so you aren’t left holding the bag).

By freeing up working capital and smoothing out payments, robotics teams can focus on what matters most: building, innovating, and growing their companies.

The Takeaway

Cash flow shouldn’t hold back innovation in robotics. With Two’s Instalments product, robotics companies can unlock upfront payments while offering customers flexible, accessible, and affordable financing. Our credit engine is designed for both SME buyers and large enterprises, and we take on the full credit and fraud risk, so teams can focus on building and scaling instead of chasing payments. Companies that get payments right are the ones that can innovate faster, hire top talent, and stay ahead of the competition. Agile, cost-competitive, and tailored to the realities of robotics and hardware, Two helps buyers realize ROI before paying the full cost - letting innovation move forward without financial bottlenecks.

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