This month we shipped updates that make it faster to build, test, and debug robotic systems. From smoother mobile arm control and an improved ML model picker, to resumable downloads on unreliable networks, these releases reduce friction across development and field operations.
Here's what's new this month.
Intuitive model selection interface
Finding and selecting ML models just got easier. The updated model selection modal streamlines how you choose models for both configuration and auto-predictions, with better search, filtering, and visual organization of available models.
Viam web app ‘select a model’ modal with: My models/Registry tabs, search, filters (task type, framework, visibility), and a scrollable model list.
Enhanced mobile app arm control
Control robot arms directly from your phone with new real-time sliders. Adjust joint positions and poses with live feedback—as you move the slider, the arm moves instantly. The improved interface makes testing and debugging arm configurations faster without being tethered to a laptop.
Control robot arm poses and joint positions directly from the Viam mobile app using real-time sliders and +/- controls. Visual feedback is instant as the arm moves.
Resumable downloads for unreliable networks
Downloads now complete despite spotty connections. Agent and RDK updates resume automatically if interrupted, critical for robots operating on cellular or Bluetooth tethering. Partial downloads clean up after a few days, and progress reporting shows actual file size.
Mobile app control screen improvements (v1.21.0)
The Viam mobile app now reconnects smoothly after backgrounding, supports DoCommand, filters components by type, and adds folders matching your robot config. New component support includes audio input, gantry, and generic types, plus you can view point cloud data from cameras.
Viam mobile app control screen for ‘buzzer-bot’ machine, with type filter chips and components listed (e.g., buzzer servo, local board).
Software engineer in New York? Join a UX research study at Viam's HQ.
The logs tab now shows only what matters by default—critical events, module logs, and errors. Toggle "Diagnostic logs" when you need deep debugging. Makes troubleshooting faster by surfacing relevant information first.
Viam web app logs tab with a 'diagnostic logs' toggle to filter critical logs and enable deeper debugging.
Live cloud build logs
See what's happening during module builds in real-time. Cloud build logs now stream live as your build runs. Debug failing builds while in progress instead of waiting for the entire process to finish. Access via viam module build logs CLI command.
Distributed request tracing
Track requests end-to-end across viam-server, remotes, and modules with new OpenTelemetry-based tracing. See exactly where time is spent and identify failures in multi-hop setups. Export traces to Jaeger or store locally with automatic rotation.
Connect with us
Our newest releases speed up iteration and shorten time to root cause—whether you’re tuning arms from our mobile app, updating over flaky networks, or tracing requests across remotes and modules. Want a workflow to get easier next? Share feedback on Discord.
We're also looking for UX research participants to visit our NYC robotics lab, where you’ll get hands-on with hardware and work closely with our engineers. Selected participants will receive $50 in appreciation of their time. Sign up.
Find us at our next event
Error! No upcoming events found. Please check back later!
