From autonomous cleaning and security to a future workforce of humans and robots, physical AI could fundamentally change how buildings operate. Ibrahim Yate of JLL explains what organisations need to consider and where AV technology might fit into the picture.
Robots are already carrying out tasks in commercial buildings, but the emergence of more sophisticated physical AI could introduce new demands on workplace design, technology infrastructure and building management.
Ahead of his appearance at WORKTECH26 London, Ibrahim Yate, director, research & technology consulting, global technology advisory group at JLL, speaks to Anna Mitchell about the practical challenges of preparing offices for robotics, the potential role of AV integration and why organisations should be cautious about investing before they understand what they need.
WORKTECH26 London takes place on 17 November 2026 at Together, 88 Wood Street, London. Inavate readers can receive a 15% discount on tickets by using the code WT26-LON-INAVATE when booking.
Anna Mitchell: We’ve seen generative AI and agentic AI. Now people are talking about physical AI. What does that mean?
Ibrahim Yate: We have AI that’s largely been trained on information from the internet. But now there’s a desire to apply those capabilities to the physical world. To do that, AI systems need to learn about physical phenomena. You’re effectively using AI-powered software to control robots and interact with the environment around them.
AM: Does training AI for the physical world involve feeding it enormous amounts of information, as we see with large language models?
IY: The use cases for robotics are generally much more targeted. You wouldn’t necessarily pay to train a robot to do absolutely anything because it would cost too much. There’s a physical piece of hardware, infrastructure behind it, people who need to manage it and considerations such as insurance. You need to test what a robot would do in different situations, whether that’s avoiding harm to a human or successfully completing a task.
AM: How close are workplaces to having to accommodate robots?
IY: Technically, robots are already present in offices, warehouses and factories. They’re fairly common, but they’re not necessarily as sophisticated as the robots people imagine when they talk about the future. The more advanced robots that people are talking about becoming commonplace are probably at least five years away from widespread adoption and awareness.
AM: I can easily picture a robotic vacuum cleaner moving around an office. But beyond that, it's harder to imagine what robots might actually be doing in a workplace. What kinds of robots are we talking about, and what tasks could they take on?
IY: Some have wheels and one or two arms because adding limbs significantly increases the cost. Those robots can carry out more complex cleaning tasks, pick things up and move objects around. They could also become involved in maintenance, particularly in dangerous areas. You can also use wheeled robots for security. They wouldn’t necessarily physically interact with people, but they could patrol areas, carry out scanning and navigate difficult environments. Humanoid robots are generally the most expensive.
AM: What changes would organisations need to make to their buildings and technology infrastructure to become robot-ready?
IY: If it’s a wheeled robot, one of the most basic requirements is accessibility. Can it move around the building? Are there ramps? Can it access lifts? You also have to consider human safety. How much space can the robot occupy? Where is it allowed to go? If the robots require significant charging, you need the electrical capacity. You’re managing a hybrid workforce of humans and robots. That means additional technology to coordinate their activities, and people will need to become familiar with managing robotic fleets.
AM: Where might robotics intersect with the technologies AV integrators already work with, such as displays, control systems and sensors?
IY: One approach is that you need additional technology within the building to help the robots perform their tasks. That could include digital maps that robots can interpret, signposting around the office, AV screens and sensors that map the spatial dimensions of the environment. The other approach is more futuristic. The argument is that robots should be able to use their own vision to understand the environment, much as a human would. It could well be that we end up with a combination of physical AV infrastructure and intelligence built into the robots themselves.
AM: Would introducing robotics increase the need for building management, room booking and other workplace systems to exchange data?
IY: Yes, absolutely. You still need to provide the robot’s operating system or management software with information. You would need integrations with systems such as the building management system, maintenance management software or ticketing platforms. For example, the robot might need to receive a work order, a permit to work or instructions about a particular task. But introducing robotics certainly creates additional pressure to connect systems that might currently operate independently.
AM: Who is likely to take responsibility for integrating, managing and supporting robotics within the workplace?
IY: For offices specifically, my view is that facilities management providers will probably take the lead rather than the building owners or occupiers themselves. They’ll either be asked to innovate or they’ll introduce solutions themselves, offering customers new ways of delivering services under different cost structures. I’ve also spoken to robotics businesses in the US that are looking to provide everything, including maintenance, replacement parts, insurance and training.
AM: Is there a danger that organisations will spend significant amounts of money preparing for robotics before there’s a genuine business case?
IY: Absolutely. If a company doesn’t have a clear plan, there’s a real danger of wasting money. What are you actually trying to achieve? Do you understand what the technology can do? How does it apply to your organisation? What type of robot are you considering? How much does it cost? What about replacement parts, digital infrastructure and everything else needed to support it?
AM: If an organisation is refurbishing an office or constructing a new workplace without a clear robotics roadmap, are there things it should consider now to avoid creating problems later?
IY: One example would be making sure lifts can be controlled digitally rather than relying entirely on analogue interfaces. If you can provide a wireless connection or a simple way for the robot to interact with the lift and verify its identity, that’s much easier. Stairs can be a problem for wheeled robots, so the same accessibility considerations that apply to wheelchair users can also be relevant to robotics. Some current robotic systems can struggle with mirrored surfaces or glass walls in meeting rooms. They can become confused by reflections and even collide with them.
Ibrahim will explore the practical and technological implications of introducing robotics into the workplace at WORKTECH26 London, where he will join Andy Targell, managing director of tech advisory at JLL, for a session titled How the Workplace Will Become Robot-Ready.
Moving beyond the current focus on generative and agentic AI, the session will examine the emergence of physical AI and what it could mean for organisations preparing to accommodate a hybrid human-robot workforce.
From changes to floor layouts and building infrastructure to IT systems, workplace operations and job roles, the discussion will consider which investments are likely to deliver value and where organisations should exercise caution.
WORKTECH26 London takes place on 17 November 2026 at Together, 88 Wood Street, London. Ibrahim and Andy’s session is scheduled for 10:55.
Find out more about WORKTECH26 London and register to attend. Don't forget discount code WT26-LON-INAVATE.