{
  "id": 7627509,
  "title": "Agility’s new humanoid robot will stop, squat to avoid harming human coworkers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/agilitys-new-humanoid-robot-will-stop-squat-to-avoid-harming-human",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-15T18:33:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ars Technica",
    "slug": "ars-technica",
    "url": "https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/09/agilitys-new-humanoid-robot-will-stop-squat-to-avoid-harming-human-coworkers/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Agility Robotics unveiled its inaugural humanoid robot capable of safely collaborating with human coworkers without posing any risk of injury. Such safety mechanisms could pave the way for the proliferation of such robots in warehouses and automotive factories, eliminating the need for enclosed work cells and physical barriers to separate humans from machines. When Agility's innovative Digit 5 robot detects a person in its vicinity, it can proactively take preventive measures, such as altering its trajectory to avoid the individual or remaining stationary so the human can pass by freely. In the event that a person approaches too closely, Digit 5 has the capability to adopt a squatting posture, effectively assuming a seated position, to ensure the utmost safety. Pras Velagapudi, Agility's chief technology officer, explained to Ars that the robot features a sophisticated safe motion system that can employ a range of mitigations based on the specific nature of the human presence it detects.",
  "summary": "Robots can start working outside physical cages and without safety barriers.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}