“Buzzworthy Businesses” is a unique, cool talk show that showcases individuals and companies in the community making a buzz and giving back. Our goal is to interview guests who are doing great things in their business and in their community. Today, our host, Printella Bankhead, spoke with Robert Dahlstrom.
Robert Dahlstrom
CEO at Apellix
Website Address: https://www.Apellix.com
Short company description:
Apellix’s Power Wash Drone is the most widely deployed commercial cleaning drone worldwide, with active operators in 21 countries and 5 continents as of 2026. Founded in 2014, Apellix designs and manufactures autonomous drones for power washing, spray painting, inspection, and building maintenance. Apellix has National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) compliant systems, employs disabled veterans, and is flown by the U.S. Army.
What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment is the invention and commercialization of software-driven aerial robotic platforms, commonly known as “working drones,” that perform hazardous industrial tasks such as painting, coating, cleaning, and non-destructive testing (NDT), fundamentally transforming
the way large-scale infrastructure is maintained and inspected.
My most significant achievement is his role as the “father of working drones,” revolutionizing industrial maintenance by inventing and commercializing autonomous aerial robotics that save lives, reduce costs, and set new benchmarks for safety and efficiency worldwide.
What about your company makes you the most proud?
The amazing people that have come together at this company to do amazing things that actually create huge economic value for our customers and save lives
How do you motivate people to give their best?
They motivate me every day. I try to motivate them by reminding them of our mission statement.
Tell me a time you failed forward and what you learned from the experience
One time I failed forward was when I let a prospective customer drive our product roadmap with a series of “if you just add this, we’ll buy” requests. We kept building feature after feature for them, and every time we delivered, the goalposts moved: “If it had this other capability, then we’d buy.” Eventually it became clear they were never going to purchase
What’s The Biggest Challenge you are facing in your business or industry?
Apellix’s biggest challenge is the extreme technical complexity of developing aerial robotic systems that function beyond conventional drone capabilities, while simultaneously disrupting entrenched industrial practices and continuing to invest in research and development after a decade of technology building.
How do you see your field evolving in the next 3-5 years
The next 3-5 years will see aerial robotics transition from specialized tools to mainstream industrial solutions with greater autonomy, endurance, and practical applications across numerous sectors.
Who in your industry do you see as a trend setter and why
Based on my vision that ‘drones are just flying computers’ and that ‘with the right sensors and data – and most importantly, software – they can be made to do most anything,’ I view companies integrating advanced software control systems as the true innovators in the space.
