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Robots are getting real… less sci-fi, more ROI. While humanoids chase headlines, the real action (and funding) is behind boxy bots built to work. Meanwhile, Apple’s under cyber siege, DeepSeek’s triggering alarms, and Microsoft just became the most trusted name in tech.

Here’s what you need to know today:

Forget Sexy—The Future of Robotics Is Built Like a Toolbox

The future of robotics is built like a toolbox.

While humanoid robots chase headlines, boxy, no-frills machines quietly haul trash, move parts, and inspect gear. Oh, and they cash investor checks.

These utilitarian bots don’t dance or talk. They just work.

And they’re not just prototypes—they’re already on the floor. Powered by edge-ready chips like Nvidia’s Orin NX, firms like Ati Motors have rolled out hundreds of “Sherpa Tug” robots across major factories worldwide. These machines are already working in retail, defense, and waste management.

As companies double down on automation, low-profile task bots are winning big, snagging over 70% of Q1’s $2.26 billion in robotics funding, according to Reuters. 

Why it matters: These bots are delivering real-world results—and serious ROI—while humanoids are still chasing headlines. As labor shortages and cost pressures grow, practical automation is becoming a must-have, not a nice-to-have.

Not cute, not cuddly—just crushing KPIs.

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Insider Intel

OpenAI Is Building a Wearable AI Sidekick With No Screen

After announcing their partnership last week, news surfaced that OpenAI and Jony Ive are reportedly building a compact, screenless AI wearable designed to hang around the neck, featuring cameras and mics for environmental sensing.

The device aims to redefine personal tech by creating a minimalist, always-aware “physical AI” companion.

Altman first revealed the details internally. But despite calls for secrecy, the pitch leaked, raising eyebrows about trust inside OpenAI.

If AI has one edge over humans, it might just be its ability to keep a secret.

Flash Bytes

Building GenAI Applications with CockroachDB & AWS Bedrock

Unlock scalable GenAI development using CockroachDB and AWS Bedrock

Join us on May 28 at 1:00 PM ET for a live event hosted by CockroachDB. Learn how to quickly build and modernize applications using cutting-edge database and AI model integrations.

Security Alerts

Apple Grapples with Surge in Zero-Day Attacks as macOS Security Myth Crumbles

Over the past six months, macOS has been hammered by a wave of zero-day vulnerabilities in highly sophisticated cyberattacks.

From WebKit bugs to zero-click AirPlay exploits and even an SIP bypass that opened the door to rootkits, Apple’s reputation for airtight security is under fire.

As threat actors grow bolder and more capable, it's clear that even Apple’s polished armor is no longer enough.

Turns out, even Apple can't out-design distrust.

DeepSeek’s AI Rocket Ride Triggers Security Whiplash

Chinese AI upstart DeepSeek stunned the tech world recently with its cheap, lightning-fast models that put OpenAI’s ChatGPT to shame.

But the hype came with consequences: Reports of China-linked data leaks prompted US crackdowns, and nine states have moved to ban the platform from government use.

As businesses rush to deploy open-source AI, security pros are sounding the alarm, warning that each layer of these platforms, from models to prompts, poses unique and escalating risks.

Suddenly, “slow and expensive” doesn’t sound so bad.

Industry Shakeups

Microsoft Climbs the Trust Ladder, Lands Top 3 in Brand Reputation Ranking

For the first time, Microsoft just cracked the top three in Axios and Harris’s annual brand reputation poll. It outranked every other tech company.

The jump is primarily thanks to massive gains in public trust, character, and citizenship, driven by its visible push on security and privacy. Once trailing Amazon, Microsoft now leads the tech pack in how Americans perceive corporate integrity.

From Clippy to credibility… what a timeline.

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