Agility Robotics has announced the release of Digit, a humanoid warehouse robot that is now available for purchase. The robot, which is set to be released in 2025, is designed to work alongside humans by transporting and lifting plastic bins in a warehouse or distribution center.
Digit stands at 5’9″ and weighs 140 pounds. It recharges itself and will move to its own charging dock, connect, and return to the workplace for another shift once fully charged. It is intended to mimic human movements, and its anthropomorphic characteristics aid humans in its surroundings. The LED eyes of the robot indicate the direction in which it will turn, and it can communicate intentions and actions through facial expressions and gestures.
According to Damion Shelton, CEO of Agility, Digit will lift “anything that a person would handle. Think about things that are larger than a small box, but smaller than a giant bag of dog food.” This feature will prove to be valuable in the logistics industry, which is currently facing labor shortages.
Jonathan Hurst, CTO of Agility Robotics, explains that “everything we do is about building a robot that can work in human spaces and do human workflows.” The goal is to create humanoid robots that can alleviate labor shortages and perform jobs that people find too boring, dangerous, or repetitive.
Agility Robotics is confident that it is the frontrunner in bringing a product to market. Digit’s evolution will be determined by a partnership program that will give potential customers an exclusive opportunity to shape the development of its skills and abilities.
The sources for this piece include an article in Axios.