AI and Robotics

AI And Robotics For The Blue Collar Sector

For the last 20 or 30 years, success in blue-collar industries was earned the old-fashioned way—through grit, skill, and showing up when others wouldn’t. These businesses were built by craftsmen turned owners, men and women who didn’t flinch at 80-hour weeks or the responsibility of feeding 100 families with payroll every Friday. But now, something new is knocking on the shop door—and it’s not a new supplier or a change in OSHA regulations. It’s artificial intelligence. It’s robotics. And it’s coming fast.

This is why we’re excited to welcome Andrew Ashur, Founder and CEO of Lucid Bots, as guest speaker for next month’s Charting Opportunities (Tuesday, May 13th, 2025) event. Andrew isn’t just talking about the future of automation—he’s building it. His company develops autonomous cleaning and inspection drones that are already transforming how businesses operate in high-risk, labor-intensive environments. His work offers a practical lens into how AI and robotics are being deployed today—not in theory, but in the field.

From Sweat to Scale – The Traditional Growth Curve

The journey from craftsman to CEO has always been one of scaling complexity—more jobs, more people, more moving parts. These owners mastered not just the trade, but eventually learned to hire, lead, and navigate everything from insurance audits to equipment financing. What they didn’t sign up for, though, was the wave of technological transformation now heading their way.

The Quiet Arrival of AI and Automation

You may not see it in your shop yet, but AI and robotics are already here—quietly, efficiently, and relentlessly expanding their footprint. Robotic welders that reduce error and injury. AI scheduling tools that minimize downtime. Chatbots that can handle service requests at midnight. What was once reserved for high-tech factories is now inching its way into job sites, warehouses, and field operations.

Lucid Bots is a prime example. Their Sherpa drone is automating high-risk tasks like exterior building cleaning and window washing—reducing job site hazards and increasing productivity by 1.5 to 2.5 times. What used to take crews hours now takes minutes, and it happens with fewer people exposed to risk. That’s not just efficiency—that’s evolution.

Examples:

  1. A machine shop in Ohio reduced rework by 40% after installing vision-assisted robotic arms.
  2. A roofing contractor in Texas uses AI to scan satellite images and estimate jobs before a crew ever sets foot on-site.
  3. Lucid Bots drones are replacing scaffolding and swing stages for building washes, delivering safer, faster, and more profitable outcomes.

The Opportunity (and Threat) for Owners

The next 5–10 years could be a golden era—or a painful decline—depending on how owners respond. The challenge isn’t just technology – it’s mindset. Owners who adapt will use AI to reduce waste, attract better talent, and improve margins. Those who ignore it may find themselves underbid, overworked, and obsolete.

  • AI can extend careers by reducing physical strain.
  • Automation can fill labor gaps as skilled tradespeople retire.
  • Smart tools can improve training and onboarding for new employees.

As Andrew will share, embracing robotics isn’t about replacing people—it’s about elevating them. In fact, Lucid Bots’ clients often redeploy team members into higher-value roles, giving them the chance to grow while the machines take on the grunt work.

What to Do Now – A Playbook for the Next Decade

  • Get Curious: You don’t need to be a coder, but you do need to ask better questions like what tools exist and how they might help.
  • Audit Processes: Where are the bottlenecks, errors, or labor shortages? That’s where AI might help.
  • Pilot Small: Start with one tool. One robot. One software platform. Learn, refine, expand.
  • Train Your Team: People aren’t afraid of change—they’re afraid of being left behind. Bring them with you.

You don’t have to trade in your steel-toed boots for a hoodie and startup lingo. But the future of your business will require a new kind of craftsmanship—the ability to blend hands-on know-how with high-tech leverage. The same drive that got you from the field to the front office is what will carry you through this next evolution. And thanks to pioneers like Andrew and Lucid Bots, the tools for that transformation are no longer just coming—they’re already here.