Overview:
As the United States stands at a critical crossroads in the global race toward humanoid robotics, this article explores the technological, logistical, and economic forces shaping what comes next. It examines why America has lagged behind countries like China in robotics deployment and identifies supply chain infrastructure as the missing link. The piece introduces CRICKETSUS, a new startup founded by industry veterans Greg Walters and Art Post, and details their plan to leverage the existing B2B office technology channel to accelerate the adoption of humanoid robots nationwide. Through insights from the founders and a forward-looking analysis of MPS, MSPs, and robotics OEMs, the article outlines how a new American robotics industry could emerge from proven business models.
Standing on the Edge of the Future
Here at the end of 2025, we are standing on the precipice of various potential futures. Humanoid robots and their development are a key focus as AI and Robotics continue to evolve. In many ways, as a result, AI and Robotics, including humanoid robots, are going to be the main players in the manifestation of whichever variant wins out. Quite possibly, humanoid robots could be at the forefront of these innovations.
While AI has exploded across the B2B and B2C sectors in businesses spanning most, if not all, industries, with everyone from mom-and-pop shops to enterprise-level global corporations, by contrast, robotics is moving slowly in the USA.
At least, this is true when compared to countries like China, which already have humanoid robots taking over various responsibilities. In many cases, those responsibilities include humans’ jobs. I have often wondered why this is. Especially considering the USA is the richest (at least in regard to the military-industrial complex) and most technologically advanced country in the world.
The Missing Link: Supply Chain and Infrastructure
After giving it much thought, I realized the answer was simple. There is simply no supply chain and proper logistics protocols in place for robots. This is true whether discussing food delivery bots or their coming humanoid counterparts. Currently, we just don’t have the infrastructure needed to compete, or more importantly, catch up to China.
At least, that was the case before the arrival of CRICKETSUS.
The Emergence of CRICKETSUS
No, not the often-cited musical insects so popular throughout folklore, cartoons, and the like. Instead, we are referring to a brand-new technology start-up that shares the same name. CRICKETSUS is the brainchild of founders Greg Walters and Art Post.
Each a legend of the copier and printer industries, respectively, they are both well-versed in the topic of managed service providers with a special emphasis on managed print services. Known for their world-renowned blogs and unfathomable contributions to the B2B channel, which both of those industries heavily rely upon, I believe they are on the cusp of a new level of technological disruption.
A New Industry in the Making
Their end goal? To bring a new age of properly implemented, perfectly optimized, and quickly deployed robots to countless technology companies across the country. Then, after that comes the evolution of one industry while creating another.
One that boasts opportunities for creating thousands of jobs, speeding up the rate of success, and driving massive revenue for companies and economies alike.
How exactly are they going to do it? Join me, and together we will explore their vision in today’s article.
Understanding the CRICKETSUS Vision
It is from within the B2B channel of the printer and copier industries that Greg and Art found the key. In addition, they aim to not only bring the future of robotics to the USA but also completely expedite the manifestation and implementation of the service models. These will grow from the soil of those industries.
The goal is simple, yet genius. CRICKETSUS will use the already robust and integrated global supply chain of the office equipment dealer and service/supply networks to bring humanoid robots into the channel. From there, the humanoid robots will be extended into the world at large. They will accomplish this faster and with greater precision than ever thought possible.
A Vision Built on Proven Infrastructure
Their bold vision sees their company at the forefront of a new and massive evolution within the channel. This will completely evolve and transform the MPS and MSP industries while birthing an entirely new industry. A uniquely American digital industrial age of robotics that will, at first, augment these older systems and then potentially replace them altogether.
In essence, they are going to use these supply chains in conjunction with their unique and highly specialized decades of expertise. Through this strategy, a new age of robots will emerge.
An age that will rise from within proven business infrastructure. When deployed through their proof of concept, it could change the world forever.
The vision, properly executed, could create countless new jobs, vastly improve and expedite business process optimization. Additionally, it brings us one step closer to the more utopian futures we have all seen in the greatest science fiction films.
Q&A with CRICKETSUS Founders, Greg Walters and Art Post
Presence News’ Nathan Dube sat down with the founders of CRICKETSUS, Greg Walters and Art Post. The following are some responses both men provided to selected questions.
Art Post
Q: How did you come up with the idea for CRICKETSUS?
Art Post revealed that whenever he would bring up robots, or robots servicing copiers, or robots in the office, the response from the audience, crowd, or upper management was CRICKETSUS.
Entering the Channel: Timeline and Market Impact
Greg Walters
Q: What is the timeline you see for robots, humanoid or other, entering the channel at large?
Between 2026 and 2027.
Q: How will this shake out regarding OEMs, SMBs, and independent MSPs?
OEMs and the B2B Go-To-Market Gap
Copier OEMs? They don’t and will never ‘get it’ unless they engage Cricket Continuum. For robotic OEMs, few, if any, have a go-to-market plan for B2B beyond getting their product into a distributor and becoming another SKU on the product sheet.
A Proven Office Technology Sales Model
We bring the proven sales model of office technology that includes everything from marketing, selling, solution creation, configuration, delivery, setup, end-user training, and monthly service.
Understanding the Operational Difference
We know the difference between a ‘help desk’ and a ‘service desk’; the difference between a lease sale and recurring revenue, and the difference between inventory and trunk stock.
Service DNA and the Independent Dealer Advantage
We can initiate a support ticket and/or dispatch a technician on-site within an SLA. This is in our DNA and makes the robotic OEMs’ eyes glaze over. For the independent dealer and the SMB, this is a golden opportunity, and for some, the last frontier.
Attracting Talent and Escaping the Legacy Trap
The remaining or surviving independent dealers need to attract good talent, get out of the ‘dots on paper’ niche, and continue their legacy. The word “robotics” will attract better service technicians.
The Talent Magnet Effect of Robotics
How many techs wake up in the morning and say, “Today, I will find the best place to work where I can service copiers”? Throw in robots, and the line forms outside. The same applies to sales talent. Water services? EV charging stations? 3D printing? Nope, nadda, nothing.
Immediate Market Readiness and Long-Term Survival
We have dozens of robot models that fit hundreds or thousands of use cases and revenue streams. Today. Not in six months. Today. Also, those who stay will become champions—the remaining independent (not mega) dealers are looking to extend their legacy beyond 10 years; and that ain’t going to be in copiers, is it? No, Greg, it isn’t.
Why MSPs Are Not Positioned for Robotics
As for IT services and MSPs, they’re stuck—robotic sales require face-to-face selling, support, and service. MSPs don’t like end users. Worse, the current MSP service stack is being consumed by AI and LLMs. MSPs have a very short shelf life.
Q: Do you see this working as a franchise at any point in the future?
When I think of a ‘franchise,’ I think in terms of B2C—we are not B2C. However, we are exploring the creation of something unique. The Continuum could be an evangelist group indeed; the future isn’t ‘robots in the office’ as much as it is ‘embodied AI’ everywhere. Who knows how that will all go to market?
Q: Why the name CRICKETS?
Back then, six months ago, we were making it all up as we went along; we still do. Nobody objected, so we went with it. We really like “The Crickets Continuum” and will one day probably evolve into “The Continuum.”
From Copiers to Robots and Beyond
As someone who spent over a decade selling copiers, printers, consumables, SaaS, document management software, MPS service contracts, and other technology in the same industries where Greg and Art made a name for themselves, all I can say is WOW.
The idea is sound, and the logistics are proven to already work. What else can I say? It is a turnkey solution for a better tomorrow. As the conversation continues to evolve, with that being said, if you have experience in the channel or business in general and have any questions or thoughts to share, please let us know in the comments.
Sources
https://crickets.global
https://www.enxmag.com/twii/feature-articles/2013/07/straight-talk-with-mpsa-president-greg-walters-part-2/
https://thedeathofthecopier.blogspot.com
https://www.p4photel.com
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