The Machine Lab

What The Machine Lab does

The Machine Lab, Inc. is a privately-held designer and manufacturer of customizable mobile robotic systems founded in 2000 by Zack Bieber and currently operating from Wellington, Colorado with a 1-10 person team. The company's core technology is a family of tracked mobile robot platforms — the MMP-15, MMP-30-EOD, MMP-40X, MFP-1, and Brute series — built around proprietary shape-changing tracks, CNC-machined billet aluminum chassis, modular manipulator arms (4-6 DOF), and a custom digital-diversity wireless HD video link with 1,500 ft range. Hardware pricing spans from $995 modular track pods to $17,500 commercial inspection systems, while tactical and custom systems are quoted on request.

Revenue is generated through one-time hardware sales of off-the-shelf platforms and a custom robot design/fabrication service for specialized applications. The company reaches customers via direct e-commerce (themachinelab.com), authorized resellers RobotShop.com and The Robot Marketplace, and direct government procurement. Primary customer segments are US military branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, NAVSEA, DoD), international defense agencies, and law enforcement (bomb squads, SWAT), with secondary segments in commercial inspection, research/education (e.g., University of Calgary), and aerospace (NASA). The company has deployed more than 2,200 robots globally, with the MMP-30-EOD as its flagship product responsible for the bulk of historical sales.

Name

The Machine Lab

Legal name

The Machine Lab, Inc.

Website

https://themachinelab.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Machine Lab, founded in 2000, designs and manufactures customizable tracked mobile robotic systems — including EOD, tactical, inspection, and industrial platforms — for US and international military, law enforcement, and commercial inspection customers, with over 2,200 units deployed globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tactical Mobile Robots

NAICS

Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339)

SIC

General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600), Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Robot Hardware, Actuators & Components (sensors, grippers, motors) (HDAAAIAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial & Warehouse Robotics (HDAAAIAA), Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG), Industrial Robots (Articulated, SCARA, Delta, Cartesian) (IMAHAHAA)

Keywords

• Tactical robot systems
• EOD robotics
• Mobile robot platforms
• Inspection robots
• Defense robotics

Headquarters

HQ city

Wellington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Robot System Sales: One-time sales of mobile robot platforms and systems including basic platforms, tactical robots, and inspection robots. Products sold with varying levels of customization from off-the-shelf to fully custom configurations.
2. Custom Robot Design & Manufacturing: Custom prototyping and fabrication services for specialized applications including agricultural robotics, surveillance systems, research platforms, and unique operational requirements. Services include design, electronics, code development, and integration.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Machine Lab designs and manufactures customizable mobile robotic systems, including tactical EOD robots, compact inspection robots, and industrial platforms. Its product lineup spans rugged tracked mobile platforms with manipulator arms (4-6 DOF), proprietary wireless digital HD video systems, Operator Control Units (OCUs), and accessories. The company serves military, law enforcement, commercial inspection, and research/education markets with both standard configurations and fully custom-engineered robotic solutions.

Product overview

The Machine Lab offers a comprehensive portfolio of mobile robot systems designed primarily for military, law enforcement, inspection, research and education applications. The product lineup spans from compact inspection robots (MicroTraxx, GLIMPSE) to tactical EOD robots (MMP series) to industrial platforms (Brute series). Products range from basic tracked platforms ($995-$3,350) to complete tactical robot systems. The modular architecture allows customers to customize platforms with various manipulator arms (4-6 DOF), Operator Control Units (OCUs), cameras, and accessories. The company also offers custom robot design and fabrication services for specialized applications. Key differentiators include rugged construction, multi-terrain capability, stair climbing ability, and modular upgrade paths across the product family.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MMP 15 Basic Rugged low-profile tracked mobile platform capable of carrying 15 pounds of payload. Aluminum chassis with high torque 52mm motors, motor controller, batteries, battery charger, power switch and LED fuel gauge. Supports PWM, analog, RS-232 Serial and packetized RS-232 serial control protocols. Priced at $3,350.
• MMP 40X Tactical Medium to large tactical robot weighing 63-100 lbs, multi-terrain capable and able to climb stairs. Features three cameras including forward-facing color Pan/Tilt camera with IR illumination, wide angle gripper camera, and rear-facing camera. Compatible with 4, 5 and 6 axis manipulator arms lifting 8-25 pounds. Designed for US law enforcement tactical operations.
• MicroTraxx HD Inspection Robot Compact inspection robot weighing 3 lbs with HD wireless digital video system offering 1080p recording, 10-inch screen, 8 ft/sec speed, and 45-minute runtime. CNC machined billet aluminum chassis. Designed for tight spaces including crawlspaces, ducts, and tactical operations. Priced at $8,500.
• GLIMPSE Inspection Robot Residential and commercial inspection robot priced at $17,500. Ideal for inspection, surveillance and tactical operations.
• MMP 15 Tactical Tactical variant of MMP 15 platform for military and law enforcement applications.
• MMP 30 Tactical Mid-size tactical robot in the MMP series for EOD, military, and law enforcement applications.
• MFP-1 Tactical platform robot for military and law enforcement operations.
• Brute Series Mobile Robot Platform Industrial, commercial and agricultural robot platform weighing 90 pounds with 100 pounds payload capacity over various terrain.
• Handheld EOD Robot Controller Handheld EOD robot controller with 2.4 GHz control and 5.8 GHz audio/video transmission, 16 control channels, 7 inch LCD screen, 4 joysticks, 2 sliders, mixing, mapping, custom menus, and rechargeable battery pack.
• Operator Control Units (OCUs) Robot control units available in hand-held and Pelican Case configurations. Features swappable batteries, full proportional control channels, color LCD monitors, spread spectrum transmission. Weigh 5-18 lbs with 6-10 inch screens, 4-12 control channels, and 1-4 hours runtime.
• Robot Manipulator Arms Multi-axis robot manipulator arms designed for mobile robots and custom applications. Available with 4 or 6 axis of motion, weighing 6-24 lbs, payload capacity of 8-20 lbs, and max reach of 24-48 inches. Come with electronic control modules with or without absolute position feedback.
• MTP-15 Trackpods Basic self-contained robotic track unit priced from $995. Each unit carries 7.5 pounds payload or 15 pounds when assembled in pairs. Anodized CNC billet aluminum construction with custom continuously molded track, 32mm motor, and motor controller. Modular design allows connecting 2 or more pods together.
• Custom Robot Design and Fabrication Services Custom prototyping and fabrication services for specialized applications including agricultural robotics, surveillance systems, research platforms, surveillance, and unique operational requirements. Services include design, electronics, code development, and integration.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,200 robots deployed globally
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers21 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Clearpath Robotics: Manufacturer of mobile robot platforms (Husky, Jackal, Warthog) used in research, agriculture, mining, and defense. Overlaps with TML's MMP platform family on rugged mobile bases and customization for research/defense customers.
• Teledyne FLIR Defense: Owns the former Endeavor Robotics (and earlier Foster-Miller Talon) family of tactical ground robots used by US military and allies for EOD, reconnaissance, and CBRN missions. Direct competitor in tracked mobile platforms with manipulator arms.
• Ghost Robotics: Manufacturer of legged (quadruped) unmanned ground vehicles for defense and homeland security applications, including perimeter security and reconnaissance. Competes with TML in defense and inspection robotics, albeit with a different mobility architecture (legged vs tracked).
• Roboteam (Elbit Systems): Designer of the MTGR and other lightweight tactical ground robots for EOD and special operations. Now a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, the company competes directly with TML for backpackable EOD robot programs.
• iRobot Corporation: Defense and tactical robotics manufacturer best known for the PackBot EOD robot deployed widely with US military. iRobot's defense division historically competed directly with TML's MMP series for EOD and tactical ground robot contracts. (Note: iRobot's defense business was divested in 2016.)
• Sarcos Robotics: Designs and produces robotic systems for industrial, defense, and inspection applications, including exoskeletons and mobile manipulation platforms. Competes with TML in defense-adjacent and inspection robotics markets.
• SuperDroid Robots: Small US manufacturer of tactical, inspection, and custom tracked robots for military, law enforcement, and industrial customers. Closest like-for-like peer by scale and product portfolio to The Machine Lab.

Broad incumbents

• Boston Dynamics: Developer of advanced mobile robots including Spot (quadruped) and Stretch (warehouse logistics), with growing defense applications. While not a direct EOD competitor, Boston Dynamics represents the autonomy-forward vision that could displace tele-operated tracked platforms like TML's.
• Anduril Industries: Defense technology company building autonomous systems across air, sea, and ground domains, including UGVs and counter-UAS solutions. Represents the well-capitalized, software-defined incumbent TML may increasingly compete against for next-generation defense robotics programs.
• QinetiQ (Foster-Miller legacy): Global defense and security company whose Foster-Miller division pioneered the Talon EOD robot family. Larger incumbent competing for the same defense and law enforcement robot budgets as TML.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@themachinelabinc.8952
• Facebookfacebook.com/Themachinelabinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-machine-lab-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Machine Lab