Ground Control Robotics has developed SCUTTLE—a centipede-like robot designed to reliably navigate complex, cluttered, and confined environments, solving the dull, dirty, and dangerous challenges in pest control.
Ground Control Robotics (GCR) represents a new approach to physical AI in which physics meets engineering meets biology. Its flagship product, SCUTTLE (Slithering Centipede-like Undulatory Terradynamic Tactical Legged Explorer), is a multi-legged robot that confidently navigates cluttered and confined spaces to make labor safer and more efficient.
Key Capabilities
- Reliably navigates complex terrain
- Accesses confined spaces
- Climbs over obstacles
- Crosses wires without getting tangled
- Portable
- Modular
- Waterproof
Leadership Team
- Daniel Goldman, PhD – CEO
Georgia Tech professor and robotics pioneer directing strategy and company growth. - Daniel Soto – CTO
Georgia Tech Master’s graduate in mechanical engineering leading product development and innovation in multi-legged locomotion. -
Robin Pepper - COO
Wharton MBA with 20 years of experience building and scaling start-ups. Leads finance, sales, customer success.Supported by an accomplished advisory board with leaders from the U.S. Army, Bayer Crop Science, Princeton, Caltech, UC Irvine, MIT, Rice, UNC-CH, UC-Berkeley, and National Academy of Sciences
Ground Control Robotics’ beachhead market is the pest control industry, with a signed pilot agreement with one of the largest national pest control companies and pilot testing is underway. GCR also has a verbal commitment for a paid pilot test planned for May 2026 with an infrastructure engineering firm based in the Northeast. Commercial product launch is expected for both the pest control and AEC (Architecture, Engineering, Construction) markets in September of 2026. GCR is also exploring the defense and specialty agriculture markets for product-market fit.
Commercial Strategy
- Pricing Model
SCUTTLE units produced at ~$2,500, sold at $5,000 each. - Recurring Revenue
Annual software subscription at $750 including 24/7 support and updates. - Market Validation
Demonstrated at major conferences (North Georgia Pest Control Association and PestWorld 2025), generating strong interest and a pipeline of over 20 companies/contractors expressing purchase intent. - Next Steps
Pursuing pilot programs to refine product based on technician feedback, targeting market launch in early 2027.
This focused approach leverages authentic demand from technicians seeking safer, more efficient tools.
Revenue will come from a lease-first strategy with a purchase option combined with recurring software subscriptions. This model provides recurring revenue, lowers the adoption barrier, and gives customers optionality.
- Hardware Sales
One-time revenue from robot units sold to pest control companies and independent contractors. - Software Licensing
Annual subscription providing control software, technical support, and ongoing updates.
This dual-stream model creates immediate revenue upon launch while building predictable, high-margin recurring income as the installed base grows.
Investment Ask
Ground Control Robotics is seeking $2.5 million in seed investment to fund the next 18 months to complement $275K in non-dilutive funding and $500K in SAFE investments already secured.
Use of Funds
- $500k for materials, technical labor, and expanded manufacturing capacity
- $1.05M for R&D to develop new features and maintain first-mover advantage
- $500K for general and administrative costs (incl existing leadership team)
- $450K for marketing and building an experienced sales team
The SCUTTLE platform is at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6—prototypes demonstrated in relevant environments including attics, confined spaces, and challenging outdoor terrains.
In March 2026, Dr. Daniel Goldman and members of the GCR team demonstrated SCUTTLE at the annual invite-only MARS conference hosted by Jeff Bezos, in which the SCUTTLE story of anywhere mobility was shared with industry leaders, visionaries, and creators.
Current Performance Highlights
- Mobility
Overcomes obstacles up to 2× its height, self-rights after flips, and uses specialized gait to avoid wire entanglement. - Durability
IP34 rating—protected from particulates and water splashes. - Operation
60-minute continuous runtime; real-time video via mounted camera; remote control up to 1 mile line-of-sight (radio or Wi-Fi). - Physical Specs
Weighs 10 pounds; dimensions 36" × 8" × 4".
These proven capabilities position SCUTTLE for near-term commercialization with ongoing enhancements in autonomy and modularity.
Ground Control Robotics has secured $775,000 in early funding:
| Source | Amount | Type |
|---|---|---|
| NSF STTR Grant | $275,000 | Non-dilutive |
| Friends & Family | $500,000 | SAFE notes |
