Agility Robotics has introduced Digit 5, the first in its line of humanoid robots designed for safe coexistence with humans. This breakthrough opens up a wide range of applications in warehouses and automotive manufacturing, eliminating the need for isolated zones and barriers. When a person approaches, Digit 5 autonomously takes precautionary measures such as moving aside to avoid collisions, stopping to let the person pass, and even sitting down when in close proximity.
The initial customers are set to receive Digit 5 in the first half of 2027, with mass deployment planned by the end of the same year. Currently, Agility is retrofitting its factory in Salem, Oregon, to produce the new model. Safety remains a vital factor in the industrial application of humanoids, according to the company. Nonetheless, Agility’s robots were among the first to enter the market for continuous commercial operation, starting at the GXO warehouse in Atlanta in 2024.
As of now, Digit robots have accumulated over 65,000 working hours in warehouses and factories across North America. Some of the users include GXO, Schaeffler, Amazon, and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada. American and Chinese companies are now competing to expand production capacities and deploy robots in workplaces, but safety remains a “major obstacle” for all. The Digit 5 model promises a more detailed approach to human-robot interaction – simply turning off the robot will not solve the issue.
Agility’s robot fleet management system can integrate with customers’ external security systems. Digit 5 uses a range of onboard sensors and artificial intelligence algorithms to detect humans. The hardware foundation is the Nvidia Thor IGX, with safety features based on the Nvidia Halos for Robotics software stack. In developing safety features, Agility participated in an ISO working group to create an international standard for industrial mobile robots – ISO 25785-1, currently under review and slated for voting.
Beyond its ability to safely work alongside humans, Digit 5 has improved leg design, enabling it to lift loads weighing up to 22.7 kg. Standing at 180.3 cm tall, with a reach of 219.5 cm, the robot’s battery provides around 90 minutes of autonomous operation, with a full charge taking 9 minutes, allowing it to work for over 20 hours in a day. The design allows for quick hand replacement to perform various manipulation tasks, expanding its application beyond simple container loading.
Digit 5 can stack goods onto pallets, pause operations during staff changes, and move safely through passages where people may be present. Published by KV_newsroom on September 18, 2026, at 13:35 © Computer News, 1994-2026 Age 16+
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