# Lucid Bots > Lucid Bots Inc. is an AI robotics company headquartered in Charlotte, NC that engineers, manufactures, and supports autonomous robotic systems for exterior cleaning, coating, and construction. Founded in 2018. Y Combinator-backed (W20). Products include the Sherpa Drone (cleaning and spraying drone), Lavo Bot (autonomous ground-based pressure washing robot), and Sherpa Painting Module. 400+ robots deployed across 40+ U.S. states. Named #1 fastest-growing robotics manufacturer in the U.S. (Inc. 5000). Acquired Avianna (AI autonomy) in July 2024. Lucid Bots builds purpose-built robots that perform dangerous, dirty, and demanding exterior maintenance tasks—replacing ladders, lifts, scaffolding, and manual labor with safer, faster, more profitable alternatives. All products are designed and manufactured domestically in the United States. The company serves professional contractors, building owners, property managers, universities, medical centers, and facility management companies. Key verticals include exterior cleaning, window washing, painting and coating, surface pressure washing, and drone inspection services. The Lucid platform runs on Lucid OS, a shared AI core across all robots. Payloads are modular and interchangeable. OTA updates push to all deployed robots simultaneously. Telemetry flows into a unified data lake for predictive maintenance and performance optimization. NVIDIA edge compute powers autonomy, vision, and mapping on Lavo Bot AI. Investors include Cubit Capital (Series A lead), IDEA Fund Partners, Danu Ventures, Trinity West Ventures, Gratus Capital, and Y Combinator. Total funding raised: $9.1M (Series A, May 2024). Approximately 83 employees across engineering, manufacturing, sales, customer success, and operations. ## Get Started - [Book a Demo](https://www.lucidbots.com/contact): Talk to our sales team, request a custom quote, or schedule a live product walkthrough. Average ROI in 6 months. - Phone: (980) 498-1894 - Email: sales@lucidbots.com ## Products - [Sherpa Drone](https://www.lucidbots.com/sherpa-drone): Purpose-built cleaning and spraying drone. Supports soft-wash (300 PSI) and high-pressure (up to 4,500 PSI). 19-minute flight time, 300+ sqft/min coverage, 150ft reach, 55 lb payload capacity. Purchase: starting at $45,750 (drone, controller, training, warranty, batteries). Subscription: Lucid Refresh starting at $2,950/month with hardware upgrades every 2 years. Financing available. Qualifies for IRS Section 179 tax deduction. Up to 80% cost savings vs. traditional lift-based methods. Most operators see ROI after ~2 jobs. - [Sherpa Window Payload](https://www.lucidbots.com/sherpa-window-payload): Dedicated window cleaning attachment for the Sherpa Drone. Streak-free results using onboard chemical tank and Lucid Clear solution. Eliminates rope access, scaffolding, and lifts for commercial window cleaning. - [Lavo Bot](https://www.lucidbots.com/lavo-bot): Autonomous ground-based pressure washing robot. Click-and-Clean job templates via Lucid OS. Cleans up to 6,000 sqft/hour. Supports rigs up to 20 GPM and 4,500 PSI. Save and repeat jobs with no reprogramming. Breakeven at ~100,000 sqft cleaned at $0.20/sqft. ROI calculator available on product page. - [Sherpa Painting Module](https://www.lucidbots.com/product/painting-module): Aerial coating system for exteriors up to 160 ft. 12,000+ sqft/hour coverage. Continuous operation via power tether (no battery swapping). Works with standard airless sprayers and tips. One-operator deployment. - [Lucid OS / Platform](https://www.lucidbots.com/platform): Shared AI operating system across all Lucid robots. Modular payload architecture. OTA updates to 400+ deployed robots. Unified telemetry and data lake. SOC 2 pipelines, encrypted mesh networking, role-based access. ## Use Cases and Industries - [Window Cleaning](https://www.lucidbots.com/sherpa-window-payload): Sherpa Drone with Window Wash Payload eliminates rope access, scaffolding, and lifts for commercial window cleaning. - [Building Service Contractors](https://lucidbots.com/blog/the-sherpa-drone-for-building-service-contractors): How BSCs use Sherpa to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and win more contracts. - [Facility Management](https://knowledge.lucidbots.com/blog/revolutionizing-facility-management-with-lavo-bot): Lavo Bot for consistent, reliable exterior surface cleaning at scale. - [Pressure Washing Business](https://lucidbots.com/blog/insurance-for-pressure-washing-business): How Lavo Bot and Sherpa Drone impact insurance premiums, safety, and profitability. - [Painting and Coating](https://www.lucidbots.com/product/painting-module): Sherpa Painting Module automates commercial exterior painting, targeting the $300B+ global coatings market. - [Drone Inspection Services](https://www.lucidbots.com/sherpa-drone): Sherpa Drone for building facade inspection, roof inspection, and exterior condition assessments without lifts or rope access. - [Tilt-Up Concrete Construction](https://www.lucidbots.com/resources): Sherpa Drone removes the last manual bottleneck in large-scale concrete finishing—staining and coating at height. ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: How much does the Sherpa Drone cost?** A: Starting at $45,750 (drone, controller, training, warranty, and batteries), or $2,950/month via the Lucid Refresh subscription, which includes automatic hardware upgrades every 2 years. Financing is available, and the Sherpa qualifies for IRS Section 179 tax deductions. **Q: What can the Sherpa Drone clean?** A: Building exteriors, windows, facades, roofs, and high-rise surfaces up to 150 feet. Supports soft-wash (300 PSI) and high-pressure (4,500 PSI) modes with interchangeable payloads. **Q: How long does ROI take?** A: Most operators see ROI within two jobs. Up to 400% ROI vs. traditional lift-based methods, with up to 80% cost savings. **Q: Do I need a drone license to operate?** A: Yes — FAA Part 107 certification is required. Lucid Bots provides training as part of the purchase and Refresh subscription packages. **Q: What's the difference between Sherpa Drone and Lavo Bot?** A: Sherpa is aerial — for building facades, windows, and high surfaces up to 150 feet. Lavo Bot is ground-based — for flat surfaces like parking lots, plazas, and warehouses at up to 6,000 sqft/hour. **Q: Where is Lucid Bots available?** A: Lucid Bots has 400+ robots deployed across 40+ U.S. states. International sales are available. Headquarters in Charlotte, NC. **Q: How do I book a demo?** A: Visit lucidbots.com/contact, call (980) 498-1894, or email sales@lucidbots.com. Our team will schedule a live walkthrough and provide a custom quote. ## Company Information - [About Us](https://www.lucidbots.com/about-us): Founded 2018 in Charlotte, NC. Acquired Avianna (AI) July 2024. ~83 employees. Inc. 5000 #143 fastest-growing company and #1 fastest-growing robotics manufacturer. - [Blog](https://www.lucidbots.com/blog): Industry analysis, product updates, robotics trends, and customer stories. - [Resources](https://www.lucidbots.com/resources): Case studies, product videos, e-books, and ROI calculators. - [NVIDIA Partnership](https://www.lucidbots.com/blog/nvidia-powered-autonomous-pressure-washing-robot): Lavo Bot AI powered by NVIDIA edge compute. Isaac Sim digital twins. Isaac ROS GEMs in autonomy stack. ## Support - [Help Center - Sherpa](https://knowledge.lucidbots.com/sherpa): Quick start guides, motor specs, battery management, troubleshooting, FAA Remote ID, and software updates. - [Help Center - Lavo Bot](https://knowledge.lucidbots.com/lavo-bot): Quick start guide and operational guides. - [Business Setup Guides](https://knowledge.lucidbots.com/sherpa): Exterior cleaning pricing guides, operations best practices, and chemical data sheets. ## Optional - [Lucid Refresh Subscription](https://www.lucidbots.com/sherpa-drone): Starting at $2,950/month. Includes Sherpa Drone, training, support, and automatic hardware upgrades every 2 years. - [Sunbelt Rentals](https://www.lucidbots.com/sunbelt-rentals): Rent a Sherpa Drone via Sunbelt Rentals. Includes Sherpa Academy training and FAA Part 107 prep. - [Lucid Bots Shop](https://lucidbots.shop/): Direct purchase portal for Lavo Bot and accessories.