Tell me about your operation. I'll show you where to start.
From a rough idea to a firm quote
Behind the AI is a full platform that takes you from problem to firm supplier quote — step by step, with everything in one place.
Describe your operation
Tell the AI about your processes, volumes, and pain points in plain language — no forms and no automation jargon required. It asks the follow-up questions a good consultant would.
- No account needed to start
- Answers refine your brief in real time
Gather your automation ideas
Every conversation becomes a draft project brief, so you can capture ideas as they come up and build a pipeline before committing to anything. Each draft shows how many suppliers and ready-made products could already meet the need.
- Unlimited draft projects
- See supplier & product counts instantly
Publish and get quotes
When a draft is ready, publish it as an anonymous RFI to matched, vetted suppliers. Track every step from your dashboard — who's reviewing, who's been downselected, and when budgetary quotes land.
- Downselect suppliers before quoting
- Live status on every project step
Compare and choose
Every quote you receive lands in the same template, so nothing gets lost comparing apples to oranges. Message suppliers directly to clarify scope, then move forward with the one that fits — with real market data behind the decision.
- Quotes shown in one template
- Message suppliers directly to clarify
Real projects. Real numbers.
Case studies from companies that used HowToRobot to validate automation before committing budget.
A bakery cut changeover time by 40%
Mapping every changeover step surfaced the automation opportunities worth pursuing first.
Payback in 1.6 years Read case study (PDF) Food & beverageFeasibility validated with supplier input in 2.5 weeks
Clear specs upfront meant faster sourcing, no delays, and quotes that could be compared directly.
Budgetary quotes in 2.5 weeks Read case study (PDF) Pharmacy & chemistryA 50% cost reduction by validating against the market
Benchmarking a single quote against the wider supplier network reset expectations on price.
From $3.5M to $1.7M Read case study (PDF) HealthcareValidated a large-scale purchase of 35 mobile robots
A structured RFI process gave a hospital confidence in a competitive, data-backed decision.
Smarter planning, better results Read case study (PDF)Validated by
20,000+ vetted automation suppliers
Join our vetted supplier network
Get matched with serious buyers ready to invest. Submit quotes for qualified RFIs and grow your pipeline through a transparent, structured process.
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Get matched
Qualified buyer RFIs are matched to your capabilities — no cold outreach.
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Submit your quote
Respond directly to qualified RFIs with budgetary or firm quotes.
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Grow your pipeline
Build a track record inside a transparent, structured process.
Plan, price, and source — in one place.
Watch how manufacturing teams use HowToRobot to scope requirements, compare suppliers, and get budgetary quotes early. Less risk. Less internal effort. More clarity.
- How AI turns rough ideas into supplier-ready briefs
- How anonymous RFIs get you fair, comparable quotes
- How buyers move from idea to validated decision in weeks
More than just quotes
Start free. Upgrade when ready.
Validate your ideas for free with the AI. Get the full market engagement toolkit when you're ready to source.
Validate the opportunity
Turn your ideas into project briefs with our AI tool, build your automation pipeline, and get insight into how many suppliers can meet your needs - and whether ready-made products already exist.
- Unlimited project drafts
- AI Market Match (supplier + product counts)
- Browse 20,000+ supplier & product directory
Validate price & suppliers
Get access to the full market engagement toolkit. Engage suppliers anonymously, receive real price estimates and solution concepts built on your specific requirements, compare quotes in identical templates, and downselect with confidence.
- Anonymous RFI to matched suppliers
- Side-by-side quote comparison
- Q&A module + concept proposals + unlimited team
Want a hand along the way? Add bolt-on expert services at any stage — fixed fee, no commitment.
See expert services →