The humanoid robotics industry has been full of promises and test runs so far. But that all changed when Agility revealed a new deal with logistics giant GXO after a successful pilot program. The deal involves deploying Digit, a humanoid robot, to work at a Spanx factory in Georgia.
Digit’s main task will be moving plastic totes around the factory, a job previously done by humans. The exact number of robots being used is not disclosed, but it is likely to be a small quantity. Typically, when dealing with tens or hundreds of thousands of robots, the numbers are proudly shared, which is not the case here.
The robots are being leased to GXO through a robots-as-a-service (RaaS) model, allowing the company to avoid the high upfront costs of purchasing the robots outright. This model also provides access to support and software updates, ensuring smooth operations.
GXO had been testing Digit robots since last year and recently signed a pilot deal with Apptronik, another major player in the industry. It remains to be seen how this will impact the partnership with Agility.
Agility’s CEO, Peggy Johnson, emphasized the company’s focus on delivering value to its customers through ROI. This sets Agility apart in an industry where results are often only theoretical. Johnson expressed pride in being the first to deploy humanoid robots at a customer site, generating revenue and solving real business problems.
Agility, based in Oregon, has been a leader in developing and deploying humanoid robots, positioning the company ahead of its competitors. While Amazon also tested Agility systems in its warehouses last year, no formal announcements have been made regarding future plans.
The deployment of Digit at the Spanx factory marks a significant milestone for Agility and the entire humanoid robotics industry. As the industry continues to evolve, it is clear that Agility is paving the way for future developments and innovations in robotics technology.
