What a great automation environment! Almost clean-slate too, you don't need to integrate with a patchwork of other solutions that are different per site.
Robots as a service is definitely the way to go. Much lower apparent risk for your clients, less support costs for out of date product you sold early on... many great reasons.
Years ago I 'worked' at Scott Technologies, around the time they were making this 'smart' straw making machine that had the chocolate/strawberry flavour inside the straw and you just put it in some milk and bam. Really cool going from planning to actually testing the robot (was for some client, can't remember who). I did this while on a high school placement programme in year 13.
I really love robotics, but I moved in a different direction after that!
I agree though that being in NZ seems to stunt you as an engineer. America appears to be overflowing with incredible companies that even normal people, not only "rockstars" can work at.
Access to capital. It's obvious that this venture would require huge investment to achieve profitability, way more than has ever been pumped into any kiwi company prior to turning a profit.
Investors here have a much smaller vision.
It's a shame, because this must be one of the worthiest targets for investment ever on the face of it. But it could never get off the ground in NZ.