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Robotics & Autonomy·September 15, 2026·1 min read

The robot that sweeps the car park is also watching it. Viabot’s $24m round calls that soft security.

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Viabot’s $24m round on a dual-use sweeper/security robot is a bet that facilities budgets will converge—cleaning, security, and data collection bought as one service. If you operate campuses, retail, or healthcare sites, expect vendors to pitch multi-function robots and start deciding now which data and surveillance trade-offs you’re willing to accept.

Robotics & Autonomy

Agility unveils Digit 5, a humanoid robot to safely work alongside humans without physical barriers by utilizing AI collision-avoidance software and new sensors

If Digit 5 can reliably operate without cages using AI collision avoidance, the constraint on humanoid deployment shifts from safety hardware to workflow design and union/HR acceptance. Factory and warehouse operators should start mapping tasks where physical barriers are the main blocker—those are now in play within a 3–5 year window.