Berry Larrison, BBC Channel News Technology & Industry
In a move set to redefine the future of personal automation, Great Machine United (GMU) has introduced a leasing programme that allows users to acquire humanoid robots using Hashtag Coin (HTC)—its resource-backed cryptocurrency.
Available models include domestic assistance bots, delivery units, and the newly released AD4 and EV6 series. Customers can purchase or lease units entirely in Hashtag Coin, avoiding traditional banking systems. Once acquired, leased robots can be put to work through Great Machine Unite’s shared labor platform, with owners receiving micro-HTC payments based on usage hours and performance.
The programme, already rolled out in select cities across Asia and Europe, enables individuals and small businesses to turn robotics into passive income streams—effectively making every robot a working asset. Great Machine United says it’s “democratising automation ownership,” while also increasing the utility of Hashtag Coin as a functional, inflation-resistant currency.
Industry analysts say it marks a new frontier in robotic franchising.
