Commercial window washing is still handled primarily by humans on scarily high perches, but now — thanks to a handful of startups — robots are poised to disrupt the industry.

Why it matters: It's safer and faster to use a robot to cleanse a skyscraper — plus, they don't need meals or smoke breaks.

Driving the news: Two competing Israeli companies, Skyline Robotics and Verobotics, are pitching their robot-based window-cleaning systems in New York and other big cities.

-Both companies sell AI-based systems with robots that hug buildings' curtain wall.

-The robots scrub walls and windows with brushes, but don't use any chemicals.

\MORE INFO: Axios

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