Passive Income Ideas For Robotics Engineers [2024]

Updated: November 29th, 2024

Interested in earning passive income as a robotics engineer in 2024?

We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a robotics engineer today. These will help you increase your quality of life by bringing in more income for yourself or your business.

For each income idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, plus some things you might need to know before you start your passive income journey as a robotics engineer.

Here's the full list:

1. Make passive income with an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)

As a robotics engineer, starting an AI-based business solution could be a compelling way to supplement your income and enter the entrepreneurial world. Your understanding of automation and systems optimization dovetails naturally with the core function of AI—streamlining operations and enhancing efficiency. By leveraging AI to improve customer service, manage inventories, or analyze data, you could help businesses save time and costs while making smarter, data-driven decisions.

You don't need advanced software expertise to begin; many platforms offer easy-to-use interfaces and strong support to help you get started. The growing demand for AI solutions presents a unique opportunity to tap into a lucrative market, especially as more companies seek to gain a competitive edge through technology. With a carefully crafted implementation plan, you could turn your robotics knowledge into a thriving AI business, driving innovation and boosting performance for multiple industries.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $120,000/month

How long does it take to build: 125 days (?)

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2. Make passive income with an AI writing tool ($255K/month)

As a robotics engineer, your expertise in AI and programming positions you perfectly to develop an AI writing tool. This innovative side project could leverage your technical skills to create a digital tool that helps businesses, bloggers, and students generate high-quality, engaging content quickly and effortlessly.

By embedding artificial intelligence in content creation, you could provide a solution that not only saves time but also reduces errors in writing. Imagine using your knowledge to build a tool that transforms how people write, enhancing productivity and efficiency. With the growing demand for consistent, quality content, this could be an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact while generating passive income.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $1,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 52 days (?)

I Built A Simple AI Writing Tool That Makes $60K/Year

Rytr, a new AI writing assistant developed by a startup platform and business incubator, has become a market leader, serving over 300,000 customers across the world and doing seven figures in ARR.

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3. Make passive income with a mobile app ($70.3K/month)

As a robotics engineer, starting a mobile app could be a great way to supplement your income and explore your entrepreneurial side. You could create an app that leverages your knowledge in robotics, like an educational tool for teaching basic robotics concepts or a remote control app for DIY robot projects. Your technical background would help you understand and plan the user experience, ensuring the app is both functional and appealing.

Even if you don’t have coding skills, you could hire a developer to bring your vision to life. Designing engaging interfaces and thoroughly testing your app for bugs will be essential steps. Given the widespread use of smartphones and tablets, a well-marketed app could reach a large audience, solving problems or providing entertainment, ultimately generating passive income for you.

How much you can make: $1 — $500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

We Started A $6M/Year Bachelorette Party App

BACH, an app that plans and books bachelorette parties, has grown from $0 to >$1M net revenue run rate in less than 6 months, gained over 100,000 users in their first 60 days, and has over 40,000 parties using the app this month.

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4. Make passive income with a lead generation tool ($108K/month)

As a robotics engineer, starting a lead generation tool could be a feasible way to supplement your income. Leveraging your technical skills, you could develop a software application that automates the process of finding potential customers for businesses. This kind of tool could integrate with websites, social media channels, and other digital platforms to collect valuable data, such as email addresses and interests, streamlining their marketing efforts.

Given how businesses constantly seek efficient ways to attract clients, the demand for effective lead generation solutions is high. Your background in technology gives you a unique edge in creating a sophisticated, user-friendly tool that could help companies focus on converting leads, rather than spending time finding them. This venture not only capitalizes on your existing skill set but also offers the possibility of a lucrative side income.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $400,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $600 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

How I Created A $5M/Year LinkedIn Marketing Automation Tool

Dux-Soup is a LinkedIn automation tool that helps business owners and sales & marketing professionals generate more leads, increase efficiency, and save time; with over 70,000 users and revenue of nearly $5 million, it offers automated top-of-the-funnel LinkedIn outreach activities, targeted LinkedIn campaigns and multi-touch & personalized LinkedIn drip campaigns for lead generation.

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5. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)

As a robotics engineer, you could turn your expertise into a profitable online course sales business. Many people are interested in learning about the field of robotics, from basic principles to advanced programming and design. By creating an online course, you could share your knowledge on topics like robotic systems, automation, and machine learning.

All you need to do is identify a specific target audience, develop a comprehensive course, and select an online learning platform to host and sell your course. Given the growing e-learning market, which is expected to be worth over $645 billion in the next few years, this could be a significant opportunity to supplement your income while helping others gain valuable skills in robotics. This side hustle caters to your passion while generating passive income.

How much you can make: $100 — $300,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

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6. Make passive income with a podcast ($97.9K/month)

Starting a podcast could be an exciting way for you as a robotics engineer to share your insights and experiences in the field. By discussing topics you’re passionate about, such as the latest developments in robotics, engineering challenges, or career advice for aspiring engineers, you could attract a dedicated audience interested in these subjects.

You would need basic recording equipment like a microphone and headphones, and you could use free or affordable hosting platforms to publish your episodes. Once you start building an audience, you could promote your podcast on social media and online communities, potentially attracting sponsors or advertisers to supplement your income. This approachable, low-cost venture could turn your expertise and passion for robotics into a steady stream of passive income over time.

How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

How I Started A Successful Podcast Production Company

A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.

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7. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)

As a robotics engineer, you could start a niche blog to share your specialized knowledge and experiences. Delve into subtopics that appeal to your peers, such as new developments in robotics technology, how-to guides for building robots, and reviews of the latest tools and components. By creating unique and informative content, you could engage with a passionate online community who shares your interests.

Once your blog gains traction, you could monetize it by including affiliate links for robotics kits and tools, collaborating with brands for product reviews, or even growing a YouTube channel with tutorial videos. Additionally, speaking at events or conventions and sharing those experiences on your blog could help in building credibility and attracting a wider audience.

By focusing on your passion and consistently engaging with your readers, you could turn your niche blog into a steady source of passive income while also advancing your career through increased visibility and networking opportunities.

How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

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8. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)

As a robotics engineer, starting a YouTube channel could be a great way to share your knowledge and insights with a broader audience, while also earning some extra income. You could create informative videos demonstrating how to build and program robots, review the latest robotics technologies, or even provide tutorials for beginners. This kind of content could attract viewers interested in robotics, leading to revenue opportunities through ads, sponsorships, and merchandise.

Consistency and quality are key factors in building a successful YouTube channel. You would need to plan your content, film and edit your videos, and engage with your audience regularly to keep them coming back. With the right approach, your channel could provide not only financial rewards but also a platform for you to express your creativity and share your expertise.

Though it requires hard work and dedication, starting a YouTube channel offers the flexibility to broadcast your unique voice to the world. If you're willing to put in the time and effort, this could be a fulfilling and potentially lucrative side hustle.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $333,333/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

How A Young Entrepreneur From Nigeria Started A Profitable Blog

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9. Make passive income with a social media automation business ($139K/month)

As a robotics engineer, you could leverage your technical skills to start a social media automation business and create passive income. This involves developing tools that schedule posts, automate interactions, and analyze data across various platforms. Your clients, which could include small businesses and influencers, would pay you for saving them time and increasing their social media reach.

Given the increasing importance of social media for businesses and personal brands, there’s a growing demand for automation services. This means you could potentially secure a steady stream of clients who need help managing their online presence. In addition, your engineering background would be useful in developing efficient software solutions and optimizing them for better performance.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $400,000/month

How long does it take to build: 50 days (?)

How I Bootstrapped A Social Media Automation Tool To $2MM/Year

MeetEdgar, a bootstrapped social media automation tool founded in 2014 by Laura Roeder, has grown to $4 million in annual recurring revenue and more than 5,000 customers, with a team size of two dozen, achieved through content marketing, social media marketing, and organic search.

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10. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)

As a robotics engineer, you could leverage your expertise to create a niche website focused on robotics, automation, or even specific subfields like drone technology or robotic software. This could allow you to share your knowledge and passion with a dedicated audience, offering insights, tutorials, and reviews. By producing high-quality, targeted content, you could attract a loyal following interested in the same specialized topics.

Once your niche website gains traction, you could explore various ways to monetize it. For instance, you might incorporate affiliate marketing by recommending relevant products or tools, display ads, or even sell your own digital products like e-books or online courses. Over time, with consistent effort in creating valuable content and optimizing for search engines, your niche website could become a reliable source of passive income, supplementing your primary earnings as a robotics engineer.

How much you can make: $400 — $250,000/month

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Leveraged My LinkedIn Network To Create A $1.8M/Year Procurement Conference

DPW (Digital Procurement World) is a fast-growing conference and community in procurement that has more than tripled in revenue since launching in 2019, capping out the year at €1.8 million, with 95% of their growth coming from inbound traffic leveraging LinkedIn and applying social selling techniques.

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11. Make passive income with a wordpress plugin business ($33.4K/month)

As a robotics engineer, your problem-solving skills and technical expertise could be ideal for developing WordPress plugins. You might identify common issues that website owners face and create plugins to address these challenges. This could be a straightforward way to earn extra money by solving real problems with your programming skills.

For instance, you could create a plugin for better handling data from IoT devices or optimizing website performance for more complex operations. You could sell your plugins on platforms like CodeCanyon, your blog, or a dedicated website. By leveraging your engineering background, you can provide unique and valuable solutions that attract a consistent user base and generate passive income.

How much you can make: $120 — $120,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

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12. Make passive income with a volleyball accessories business

As a robotics engineer, you could explore starting a volleyball accessories business to supplement your income. Combining your technical skills with a passion for volleyball might lead to innovative products such as smart knee pads with impact sensors or portable ball pumps with automated features. Your background in engineering could help you design high-quality, reliable gear that stands out in the market.

Additionally, entering the volleyball accessories industry allows you to tap into the growing popularity of recreational sports. You could leverage your problem-solving abilities and technical knowledge to conduct market research, develop strong supplier relationships, and create an engaging online presence. This venture offers a practical way to blend your expertise with an entrepreneurial spirit, potentially leading to a rewarding and profitable side business.

How much you can make: $1,000,000/month

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13. Make passive income with a real estate investment firm ($398K/month)

As a robotics engineer, starting a real estate investment firm could offer you a unique way to supplement your income and build wealth over time. Given your strong analytical skills and problem-solving abilities, you could excel in identifying valuable properties, negotiating deals, and managing the operational aspects of the business.

You could focus on buying, renovating, and renting out properties to create a steady stream of passive income. The real estate market also offers substantial profit potential through property appreciation, enabling you to grow your investment portfolio effectively.

With diligent research and strategic planning, your efforts in real estate could yield impressive financial returns, making it a rewarding side venture alongside your engineering career.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $1,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 210 days (?)

How We Started A $40M Real Estate Investment Fund

Equity Residences is a luxury real estate investment fund that has raised $40 million from over 200 investors, offering them access to a portfolio of luxury vacation homes for investment and personal use, with a minimum investment of $161,500 and plans to acquire a further twenty residences ranging from $1.5M to $4M.

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14. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)

As a robotics engineer, starting an affiliate marketing business could be a great way to supplement your income and diversify your revenue streams. By leveraging your expertise in robotics, you could promote products and services related to your field, such as robotics kits, software, or engineering books. This allows you to earn a commission for each sale made through your recommendations, providing a steady stream of passive income.

To get started, you could find the right products and brands to partner with that align with your knowledge and interests in robotics. For instance, you might prefer to collaborate with manufacturers of robotics components or eCommerce stores that specialize in tech gadgets. By sharing your insights and reviews on these products, you could not only help others make informed decisions but also earn money doing so.

How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

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meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.