Eliot Horowitz knows how to build foundational technology. As the co-founder of MongoDB, he helped create one of the most widely used database platforms in the world. But after over a decade in software, he turned his attention to a new challenge: why was it still so difficult to program and integrate physical devices?
That question led to the creation of Viam, a hardware-agnostic engineering platform designed to make automation, AI, and robotics accessible to any company—without the need for extensive engineering resources. “Viam abstracts away a hundred million dollars of engineering that you otherwise need to build AI solutions on physical devices,” Horowitz explains. “The goal is to make building useful things intuitive, fast, and iterative.”
Eliot Horowitz, CEO & Founder ViamA Flexible Platform for AI-Driven Robotics
At its core, Viam is about breaking down silos between hardware and software. Companies from various industries, including robotics, marine technology, and even food service, have leveraged the platform’s flexibility to accelerate their projects.
Take Tennibot, for example. The autonomous tennis ball retrieval robot required a software solution that could integrate with its existing hardware to enhance autonomy and real-time data processing. With Viam, the company streamlined development, improved its computer vision capabilities, and optimized communication between components—bringing the product to market faster than expected.
But Viam isn’t just about robotics. Its ability to integrate with any device means it’s being used to enhance operational efficiencies in industries far beyond automation. One unexpected application? The New York Islanders’ UBS Arena, where Viam was used to optimize bathroom wait times by analyzing real-time security camera data—implemented in under two weeks.
The Power of Offline Capabilities
For many industries, constant internet connectivity isn’t a given. That’s where Viam’s offline functionality becomes critical. In marine applications, for example, where connectivity can be intermittent, Viam provides a reliable way to collect and process data. Canyon Runner, a virtual captain service, needed a system that could integrate data from multiple onboard electronics while ensuring seamless operation, even when offline. Viam’s ability to store data locally and update it when a connection is available made it the perfect solution.
Viam's office features dedicated robot arenas where developers can test their creations—and revisit the excitement of high school robotics competitions.Accelerating Development and Cutting Costs
One of the biggest barriers to scaling robotics and automation has always been cost. Traditionally, companies developing intelligent machines needed to integrate multiple third-party systems—each with its own dependencies and limitations. Horowitz sees this as an existential challenge for startups.
“If you’re building a robot fleet to run at scale, the last thing you want is a dozen different vendors providing small bits of functionality,” he says. “Your codebase becomes unmanageable, and a change in one part of the stack can break everything.”
Viam eliminates this complexity by offering a comprehensive platform that includes machine learning, AI, motion planning, computer vision, mobility, fleet management, and security—all in one place. This consolidation significantly reduces both development time and costs, making robotics and automation more viable for businesses of all sizes.
AI, Automation, and the Future of Robotics
The potential for AI-powered automation extends well beyond traditional robotics. Viam’s clients are proving that intelligent automation can improve efficiency in everything from food service to marine navigation. Sbarro, for instance, uses Viam to monitor how long pizzas have been sitting under display lights, ensuring customers always receive fresh slices. In the boating industry, Digital Yacht has launched an app powered by Viam that helps captains monitor anchor drift in real time.
As automation becomes more mainstream, Horowitz envisions Viam as the foundational layer for smart machines of all kinds. “Some companies are focused on sci-fi-style automation—humanoid robots and grandiose projects,” he says. “We’re here to solve real-world business problems today.”
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