Digit 5, the new humanoid robot developed by Agility Robotics, is designed to work alongside humans without the need for cages, barriers, or isolated cells. The distinctive feature of Digit 5 is its ability to adjust itself to prevent causing harm to anyone. When it detects someone at a distance, it either moves or stays put to let the person pass. If a person gets too close, the robot can choose to bend its legs and sit down to minimize the risk of collisions.
Safety has always been a major concern when integrating humanoid robots into warehouses and automotive factories. Digit 5 has been engineered with a sophisticated motion system that can adapt to different types of human presence, moving away from the binary logic of simply turning off and on, to a more nuanced approach. To recognize individuals in its vicinity, Digit 5 combines artificial intelligence algorithms with a variety of onboard multimodal sensors.
The core of Digit 5’s computing power lies in the Nvidia Thor IGX hardware, specially designed for robots and medical devices, along with the integration of Nvidia Halos for Robotics software stack for robotic safety applications. This technology allows the robot to function safely and efficiently, supporting the safety protocols that are being developed by Agility.
In addition to safety features, Digit 5 boasts enhanced muscle power, with redesigned legs capable of lifting loads up to 50 pounds, meeting the safety lifting guidelines set by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The robot’s battery provides 90 minutes of autonomy and recharges in only nine minutes, enabling over 20 hours of effective work during a single day.
Compared to its predecessor, Digit 4, the new model, standing at 5 feet 11 inches, or approximately 1.80 meters, and reaching a height of 7.2 feet, is taller and more versatile. With interchangeable grippers, Digit 5 can quickly switch hands depending on the task at hand, enabling it to stack and package goods, move along aisles with other workers, and adapt to various scenarios without the need for physical safety cages.
Anticipated for early access by clients in the first half of 2027, with general availability by the end of the same year, Agility is preparing its RoboFab facility in Salem, Oregon, for production. Having been a pioneer in deploying humanoids for full-time commercial operations in a GXO warehouse in Atlanta in 2024, Agility’s earlier versions of Digit have accumulated over 65,000 hours of work across warehouses and factories in North America for clients such as GXO, Schaeffler, Amazon, and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada.
In conclusion, Digit 5 represents a significant advancement in the field of humanoid robotics, combining safety, adaptability, and efficiency to revolutionize collaborative work environments, setting new standards for human-robot interaction and productivity.
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