Agility Robotics has secured a significant partnership with GXO Logistics Inc., the leading contract logistics provider globally. GXO Logistics has initiated the commercial deployment of Agility Robotics’ humanoid, Digit, in logistics operations at a Spanx facility in Connecticut. This collaboration represents a notable advancement in the practical application of humanoid robots within the logistics sector. For additional details, you can visit GXO’s official announcement.
Digit’s Role in Logistics
Digit’s initial task at the Spanx facility involves moving totes from 6 River Systems’ Chuck autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) to conveyors. The robot can handle totes filled with women’s shapewear products, lifting them from either the bottom or top shelf of an AMR. This operational efficiency is managed through Agility Arc, Agility Robotics’ cloud automation platform designed for deploying and overseeing Digit fleets. The focus remains on scaling Digit’s usage to meet increasing demands throughout the deployment period.
Specifications and Future Developments
Standing at 5 feet 9 inches and weighing 140 pounds, Digit can lift up to 35 pounds. Agility Robotics has introduced a new end effector, Manipulation Tool 2 (MT 2), aiming for a modular approach to grasping. This will eventually allow users to customize end effectors based on specific tasks. Through the Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, GXO and Agility Robotics will continue to experiment with more application scenarios to optimize the utility of Digit.
Market Landscape
Founded in 2015, Agility Robotics initially focused on developing the Cassie robot for research before pivoting to commercial humanoids. The company faces increasing competition as new humanoid robots and startups continually emerge. GXO Logistics is also exploring other robotic solutions, including testing the Apollo humanoid from Apptronik. The race in the humanoid robot market is intensifying, with various companies such as Boston Dynamics, Tesla, and Unitree actively developing their own humanoid models.
Earlier discussions around the utility of humanoid robots in logistics had been largely theoretical. The partnership between GXO and Agility Robotics provides practical insights into how these robots can be integrated into real-world settings. Similar initiatives by companies like Amazon, which tested Digit for tote-recycling tasks, highlight growing interest and experimentation in this space. However, concrete data and results from such deployments are still emerging, making Agility Robotics’ commercial deployment a significant step forward.
The deployment of Digit marks an important milestone but also underscores the need for industry-wide standards and safety guidelines. Currently, most manufacturers use existing industrial robot standards as a baseline for humanoids. Safety protocols become especially crucial as these robots increasingly work alongside humans. Institutions like ASTM and IEEE are already forming committees and study groups to address these needs, aiming to establish proper guidelines for the future.
The collaboration between GXO Logistics and Agility Robotics illustrates the practical potential of humanoids in logistics environments. This deployment of Digit not only sets a precedent for future applications but also accelerates the conversation around industry standards and safety. As more companies enter the humanoid market, the focus will likely shift to how these robots can be effectively integrated into various sectors while ensuring operational safety and efficiency.
