Agility Robotics, through its Digit 5 model, aims to overcome the physical barriers that have historically separated robots from human workers in the field of humanoid robotics. The company, founded in 2015 in Salem, Oregon, has been developing the Digit family through various generations. Previous models have already accumulated over 65,000 actual working hours with clients such as GXO, Schaeffler, Amazon, and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada.
The feedback gathered from three years of daily use of Digit 4 has been essential in shaping the latest version of the robot. Peggy Johnson, CEO of Agility Robotics, emphasizes that the essence lies in enabling robots to work alongside humans without physical barriers. The safety architecture of Digit 5 relies on three devices that work in tandem. The robot combines proprietary algorithms with a range of sensors to detect nearby individuals and autonomously decide its course of action, whether it be avoiding the person, stopping, or sitting down.
Furthermore, visual and auditory signals communicate its intention to move in advance, enhancing safety. The introduction of an independent safety controller ensures intervention in case of dangerous proximity. Digit 5 is recognized as the first humanoid robot to pass an independent safety evaluation aligned with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards in a real production line situation.
Agility Robotics has also partnered with NVIDIA on the Halos for Robotics platform, developed to ensure safe operation near humans and assets. The company actively contributes to the development of safety standards for industrial mobile robots and humanoids. In terms of performance, Digit 5’s legs are designed to withstand repeated lifting, enabling it to handle tasks previously assigned to human workers. The robot’s battery life has also been enhanced, offering 90 minutes of operation with only a nine-minute recharge, providing over twenty hours of continuous operation.
Digit 5 marks a significant expansion in task capabilities, now covering the entire workflow of a facility from receiving goods to quality control and shipping preparation. The Agility Arc platform coordinates transfers with autonomous mobile robots, conveyor belts, and facility management systems, ensuring efficiency and safety. Digit 4’s accomplishments at the GXO site demonstrate its precision and effectiveness in handling logistics tasks.
The assembly of Digit robots takes place at the RoboFab facility in Salem, boasting a production capacity of up to 10,000 robots annually. Agility Robotics plans to market Digit outside of the US and Canada, starting in the European Union and the UK, pending necessary certifications. The launch is projected for the first half of 2027, with full availability expected by the end of the year for production, storage, and distribution operators.
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