Do robots have an expiration date?

You’ve probably heard it already. And if you haven’t, you will.

"Be careful with those robots. In a few years there won’t be any spare parts, support will stop, and you’ll be stuck with a useless chunk of metal."
Basically: "Robots age like smartphones."

Sounds dramatic. Kinda clickbaity too. But relax, that’s not how it works.

Yeah, tech keeps moving forward. New models drop every year. Faster motors. Smarter software. But that doesn’t mean your older robot suddenly becomes useless. In the industrial world, a robot is still a solid investment.

Most manufacturers give access to spare parts and technical support for many years after they stop selling a model. And we’re not talking about two or three years. We’re talking ten. That’s more than enough time to get real value out of your robot.

It’s not a phone that starts freezing after a few updates. It’s not a laptop that refuses to open a new browser. This thing is built to work. All day. Every day.

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And if you take care of it, with regular greasing, wear checks, and replacing worn parts, it’ll keep going strong. Maintenance isn’t just about avoiding breakdowns. It’s about keeping your robot precise and reliable year after year.

I’ve seen companies using the same robots for over a decade. Still accurate. Still running without problems.

And I remember one specific job when I used to work in service. I went out for a regular maintenance visit. The robot had been running for 20 years straight. It was completely covered in oil. The working conditions were terrible. Hot, dirty, greasy. But when I powered it up, it did exactly what it was supposed to. No noise. No drama. It wasn’t going anywhere. It was still doing its job. Like a champ.

So if someone tells you that robots age like iPhones, just tell them the factory world doesn’t run on the same rules as consumer tech.
Robots are made to handle real work for years. Not just survive until the next shiny model.

Give them the right care and they’ll run smoothly for ten years or more.
Instead of worrying if the robot will "die," better to plan how long and well it can work

A robot isn’t a smartphone. It doesn’t need to be replaced. It needs grease, a good checkup, and a clear plan.

And most of all, it’s here to do the hard work for us. So we can work smarter. That’s what it was built for. Simple as that.

Cheers, Jacek