# Get paid for footage of the work your crew already does

> AI and robotics companies pay businesses for first-person video of everyday work. See what your crew could earn, what counts and how to apply.

Canonical: https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai
By: Origin Data Partners
Status: Published
Published: 2026-11-05
Updated: 2026-11-05

## Quick answer

Yes, AI and robotics companies now pay businesses for video of their crews doing ordinary hands-on work, so robots can learn how real jobs get done. Through [Amelia Robotics](https://ameliarobotics.com/), a crew member wears a phone on a head mount that films their hands while they work, and the business is paid monthly for approved recording hours. Amelia's typical pay is $500 to $2,000 a month per recording employee, and the owner decides how much to share with the crew.

## Key points

- The work does not change: agreed tasks are recorded from the worker's point of view, hands in frame.
- Payment goes to the business each month. You set the split between workers, team leads and the business.
- Trades, construction and auto services are the top priorities, followed by 11 other kinds of hands-on business.

## Why are AI and robotics companies paying for this?

Language models learned from text on the internet. Robots need something the internet has little of: hours of real people doing real physical work, filmed from their own point of view, across thousands of different kitchens, job sites, shops and warehouses. A lab cannot film that in one room. It has to come from working businesses.

Amelia Robotics collects that footage for robotics labs. It tells labs it can supply about 100,000 recording hours a month across thousands of US environments, and it pays the businesses whose crews record. For the research side, read [how robots learn from video of people working](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/how-robots-learn-from-video).

Source: [Amelia Robotics: for robotics labs](https://ameliarobotics.com/robotics-labs)

## How does the pay work?

Amelia pays for approved recording hours: recording time that has been reviewed and accepted against the requirements agreed on your setup call. Your dashboard shows recorded and approved hours separately.

Typical pay is $500 to $2,000 a month per recording employee, assuming 12.5 to 50 approved hours a week over four weeks. That works out to about $10 per approved hour. Amelia says earnings vary and that your agreement and approved recordings decide what you are actually paid.

One payment goes to the business each month. You decide the shares. Amelia's own example gives 50% to the worker, 10% to the team lead and keeps 40% for the business, and you can set a different split for each team.

| Crew recording | Approved hours a week (each) | Illustrative monthly payment to the business |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 person | 20 | $800 |
| 5 people | 20 | $4,000 |
| 10 people | 25 | $10,000 |
| 20 people | 30 | $24,000 |

Source: [Amelia Robotics: business program (checked Nov 2026)](https://ameliarobotics.com/)

## What kind of work counts?

Amelia lists its top priorities as trades, construction and auto services. It also takes farms and nurseries, event venues, warehouses, manufacturing and fabrication, carpentry workshops, restaurants and commercial kitchens, commercial cleaning, food manufacturing, retail and grocery, hotels, and hair salons and barbershops. Professional trades and construction can include residential job sites.

Tasks and recording locations are confirmed on your setup call, so you agree exactly which jobs are recorded before anyone starts. Pick your industry below to see the tasks that count and the maths for a typical crew.


## What does recording look like?

A phone sits on a head mount, pointed down at the worker's hands. The worker opens the recording app, starts the recording deliberately, does the agreed task as normal and stops it when done. Hands stay free; nobody holds the phone.

You agree tasks, permitted areas and participants before recording starts, and you can keep any job, customer or area out of it. Where a crew works in public, such as a store or venue, put up a sign saying AI training and recording is in progress; Amelia's partner resources include a printable one.


## How do I get started?

Apply with four questions: your industry, the tasks, how many people and hours a week. You see an estimate and sign the agreement online. A setup call agrees the tasks and recording requirements, Amelia activates the business, and you invite your crew. Setup instructions and short videos are provided for the crew.

Before you apply, count who would record, roughly how many hours a week they spend on the tools, and whether each has a smartphone. Amelia's setup guidance says the business buys one head mount per recording worker.


## Pages in this section

- [Get paid to record your crew's work: plumbing, HVAC and electrical businesses](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/plumbing-hvac-electrical): Can an HVAC, plumbing or electrical company get paid to record its techs' work for AI? Which jobs count, illustrative earnings and what to agree with customers.
- [Can a construction company get paid to record its crews for AI training?](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/construction): How construction companies get paid to record framing, roofing, drywall and cleanup for robot training: what counts, illustrative pay and jobsite safety.
- [Auto repair shops and car washes: get paid to record your techs' work](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/auto-shops): Can an auto shop or car wash get paid to record oil changes, tire work and detailing for AI training? What counts, illustrative pay and customer privacy.
- [Can farms and nurseries get paid to record farm work for AI and robots?](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/farms-nurseries): How farms, nurseries and grounds crews get paid to record picking, planting, potting and livestock work for robot training, and what to agree first.
- [Event venues: get paid to record setup, teardown and AV work for AI training](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/event-venues): Can an event venue get paid to record stage setup, teardown, AV cabling and restroom work for AI training? Illustrative pay and what to agree with clients.
- [Do robotics companies pay warehouses for video of picking and packing?](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/warehouses): How warehouses get paid to record picking, packing, palletizing and inventory counts for robot training, with illustrative pay and forklift safety rules.
- [Manufacturers and fabrication shops: get paid to record assembly and welding work](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/manufacturing): Can a factory or fab shop get paid to record assembly, finishing and welding for robot training? Tasks, illustrative pay, safety and IP to agree first.
- [Carpentry and furniture workshops: can you get paid to record woodworking?](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/carpentry-workshops): How carpentry and furniture workshops get paid to record woodworking, sanding and finishing for robot training, with illustrative pay and shop safety tips.
- [Do AI and robotics companies pay restaurants for kitchen video?](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/restaurants-kitchens): How restaurants and commercial kitchens get paid to record prep, line cooking, baking and dishwashing for robot training, with pay examples and health rules.
- [Commercial cleaning and janitorial companies: get paid to record cleaning work](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/commercial-cleaning): Can a janitorial company get paid to record restroom, floor, window and carpet cleaning for robot training? Illustrative pay and client-site rules.
- [Food manufacturers: can you get paid to record line, packing and washdown work?](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/food-manufacturing): How food manufacturers get paid to record inspection, line work, packaging and washdown for robot training, with illustrative pay and FDA hygiene rules.
- [Retail and grocery stores: get paid to record restocking and store work](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/retail-grocery): Can a grocery store get paid to record restocking, cart retrieval and price tagging for robot training? Illustrative pay and keeping shoppers off camera.
- [Hotels and lodging: can housekeeping and maintenance teams get paid to record work?](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/hotels): How hotels can get paid to record housekeeping, laundry and maintenance work for robot training, with illustrative pay and the guest privacy rules to follow.
- [Hair salons and barbershops: can you get paid to record your stylists' work?](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/salons-barbershops): Can a hair salon or barbershop get paid to record stylists for AI training? What may count, illustrative pay and how to handle client consent and faces.
- [Companies that pay businesses and people to record work for AI and robot training (2026)](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/companies-that-pay-to-record-work): Which companies pay to record real work for AI and robots in 2026: Amelia, DoorDash Tasks, Claru, micro1, Figure, Tesla and more, with who gets paid and rates.
- [Is Amelia Robotics legit? What business owners should check](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/is-amelia-robotics-legit): Is Amelia Robotics legit? What can be verified (operator, terms, apps), what is not public yet, what to check before signing and the red flags to know.
- [What AI companies pay for recording real-world work: pay rates tracker (Nov 2026)](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/pay-rates-tracker): Published and reported pay for recording real-world work for AI and robots, Nov 2026: Amelia, DoorDash Tasks, Tesla, Claru, micro1, Kled and more, with sources.
- [How robots learn from video of people working (egocentric data, teleoperation, explained)](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/how-robots-learn-from-video): How robots learn from video of people working: egocentric data, imitation learning, teleoperation and world models explained, and what it means for a business.
- [Amelia Chores app review: how it works, pay, and is it legit](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/amelia-chores-review): Amelia Chores app review: how the get-paid-to-do-chores app works, when it pays, ratings, privacy and complaints, plus the separate program for businesses.
- [Apps that pay you to record chores and everyday tasks for AI (2026 list)](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/apps-that-pay-you-to-record-chores): Apps that pay you to record chores for AI in 2026: Amelia Chores, DoorDash Tasks, Kled, Sensei, Claru, micro1 and Figure Index compared on pay and payout.
- [DoorDash Tasks: what it is, what it pays, and how it compares](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/doordash-tasks): DoorDash Tasks explained: the app that pays Dashers to film chores and take photos for AI, how pay works, where it is available and how it compares with others.
- [Tesla data collection operator (Optimus): pay, the job, and alternatives](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/tesla-data-collection-operator): Tesla data collection operator, Optimus: the published pay range, what the job involves, the physical requirements, how training changed and the alternatives.
- [HVAC business owner salary: how much HVAC company owners make](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/hvac-business-owner-salary): How much HVAC business owners make in 2026: typical take-home of $35,000 to $150,000, what drives it, margins by company type and how owners pay themselves.
- [Plumbing business owner salary: how much plumbing company owners make](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/plumbing-business-owner-salary): How much plumbing business owners make: about $40,000 to $150,000+ a year by company size, what margins plumbing companies run and how owners take their pay.
- [Electrical business owner salary: how much electrical contractors make](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/electrical-business-owner-salary): How much electrical contracting business owners make: typically $60,000 to $150,000, with $200,000+ for larger firms. Margins, owner pay methods and examples.
- [Construction business owner salary: how much construction company owners make](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/construction-business-owner-salary): How much construction company owners make: a common rule is 8% to 10% of sales, contractor net margins average 6.7%, and owner pay rises with volume and margin.
- [How much does a restaurant owner make? Restaurant owner salary in 2026](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/restaurant-owner-salary): How much restaurant owners make a year and per month: most take home $45,500 to $100,000, with typical margins of 3% to 5%. Sources, examples and pay methods.
- [Salon owner salary: how much hair salon owners make](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/salon-owner-salary): How much hair salon owners make: about $40,000 to $175,000 a year by chairs and model. Salon margins, commission vs booth rent and how owners take pay.
- [Bakery owner salary: how much bakery owners make](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/bakery-owner-salary): How much bakery owners make: often $40,000 to $90,000, driven by a 5% to 10% net margin. Bakery owner pay by sales, margins, pay methods and ways to earn more.
- [Hotel owner salary: how much hotel owners make](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/hotel-owner-salary): How much hotel owners make: Glassdoor-based averages of $62,000 to $105,000, CBRE margin data, why debt decides owner income and how owners get paid.
- [Car wash owner salary: how much does a car wash business make?](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/car-wash-owner-salary): How much car wash owners make and whether a car wash is profitable: margins by wash type, owner income examples, why debt matters, and ways to raise owner pay.
- [Barbershop owner salary: how much barbershop owners make](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/barbershop-owner-salary): How much barbershop owners make: $45,000 to $85,000 solo, $100,000+ for busy multi-chair shops. Margins, booth rent vs commission and owner pay.
- [Restaurant profit margin: what restaurants really keep (2026)](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/restaurant-profit-margin): Average restaurant profit margin is about 3% to 5% for full service and 6% to 9% for fast casual. Industry survey data, cost breakdown and fixes.
- [Grocery store profit margin: how much grocery stores make](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/grocery-store-profit-margin): Average grocery store profit margin is about 1% to 3%: FMI puts food retailers at 2.1% net in 2025, independents at 1.9%. Why so thin, and what helps.
- [Robots in construction in 2026: what is real, what it costs and what it means for your crew](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/robots-in-construction): Construction robots in 2026: pile drivers, layout printers and drywall robots, what they cost, what they can't do, and how your crew can get paid to train them.
- [Warehouse robots in 2026: what is real, what they cost and what they mean for your crew](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/warehouse-robots): Warehouse robots in 2026: Amazon's 1 million robots, humanoids moving totes, robots-as-a-service pricing, and how warehouse crews get paid to train them.
- [Robots in agriculture in 2026: what works on farms, what it costs and what it means for your crew](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/robots-in-agriculture): Agriculture robots in 2026: laser weeders, autonomous tractors and why fruit picking is still manual, with real costs and how farm crews get paid to train them.
- [Manufacturing robots in 2026: what is real, what it costs and what it means for your shop floor](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/manufacturing-robots): Manufacturing robots in 2026: IFR and A3 adoption data, humanoids at BMW, costs, what robots still can't do, and how your crew can get paid to train them.
- [Restaurant robots in 2026: what is real in US kitchens, what it costs and what it means for your staff](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/restaurant-robots): Restaurant robots in the US in 2026: fry robots, automated makelines and serving robots, what they cost, and how kitchen crews can get paid to train them.
- [Food processing robots in 2026: what is real in plants, what it costs and what it means for your line](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/food-processing-robots): Food processing robotics in 2026: meal assembly robots, poultry deboning, robots-as-a-service pricing, limits with meat, and how plant crews can get paid.
- [Skilled trades shortage 2026: electricians, plumbers, HVAC, mechanics and welders](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/skilled-trades-shortage): Skilled trades shortage 2026: BLS openings for electricians, plumbers, HVAC, mechanics and welders, how owners keep people, and a new way to add crew pay.
- [Electrician shortage 2026: the numbers, the data center effect and how contractors keep crews](https://origindatapartners.com/physical-ai/electrician-shortage): Electrician shortage 2026: BLS openings, the data center build-out, apprenticeship data, how contractors keep electricians, and a new way to add crew pay.


## Questions and answers

### Can my business get paid to record employees working for AI training?

Yes. Amelia Robotics pays businesses for approved recordings of agreed tasks filmed from the worker's point of view. Typical pay is $500 to $2,000 a month per recording employee, paid monthly to the business.

### Who gets the money, the business or the workers?

Amelia pays the business once a month. The owner decides how much to share with the workers and team leads who record, and can set a different split per team.

### Do my workers have to be on camera?

The camera points down at the hands from a head mount, so the worker's face is not filmed. Workers start each recording themselves, and you agree which tasks, areas and people are included before anyone records.

### Does it cost anything to join?

Amelia's site lists no application fee. Its setup guidance says the business buys one phone head mount per recording worker; check current equipment terms on your setup call.

### What businesses qualify?

US businesses whose teams do hands-on work. Amelia's top priorities are trades, construction and auto services, followed by farms, venues, warehouses, manufacturing, workshops, kitchens, cleaning, food production, retail, hotels and salons.

### Will this train robots to replace my crew?

The robots this footage helps train are still years from doing most skilled trade work, and early uses focus on narrow, repetitive tasks. In the meantime the business is paid for footage of work it already does.

## Sources


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