Oregon-based Agility Robotics flagship robot is getting another big test. This time in a warehouse that handles distribution of women’s wear company Spanx.
Agility makes a robot called Digit that is designed to move like a human. The machine's design is important because it means the robot can easily move in spaces that are designed for humans.
In October the company announced a major milestone with tests of Digit in an Amazon (Nasdaq: AMZN) warehouse outside Seattle.
This latest test has Digit robots in a facility run by GXO Logistics (NYSE: GXO) in Flowery Branch, Georgia. Connecticut-based GXO is a logistics contractor that works with name brand companies, including Spanx, in industries such as e-commerce, retail and consumer packaged goods.
GXO has 970 warehouse locations across 27 countries and in 2022 had $9 billion in revenue.
Digit is being used on repetitive tasks in the warehouse such as moving totes of goods and placing them on conveyor belts or shelves. GXO says it sees the robots increasing safety in the warehouses while allowing human workers to do more “value-added work.”
If this test is successful, GXO plans for wider use of Digits in 2024. Digit is 5 feet 9 inches and 140 pounds. It can lift 35 pounds, according to the company.
“This pilot program marks another major milestone in our journey to continuously improve the work environment for our employees while optimizing our operations through innovative tech solutions,” said Kuralamudhan Arutselvan, director of automation and innovation at GXO in a written statement.
Agility Robotics grew out of research at Oregon State University. The company is co-headquartered in Tangent, Oregon, where the company has its research hub, and Pittsburgh. Agility is finalizing a robotics factory to build its Digit robots in Salem.
Dubbed RoboFab, the factory will have capacity to produce more than 10,000 robots a year once it is fully ramped up. Construction on the project began last year and is expected to complete by Jan. 1. The company believes it will produce hundreds of robots in the first year.
As early customers, GXO and Amazon are working closely with Agility to help the robotics company understand the requirements and needs of customers. In October, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Jonathan Hurst noted these versions of Digit are still in the alpha phase.
General availability of Digit is expected at the end of 2024.
“Multi-purpose robots that can operate in human spaces will be an integral part of our future, and we’re excited to work with GXO to develop this technology for application in the supply chain industry,” said Hurst in a written statement. “Importantly, there’s no need to redesign the warehouse or install infrastructure beyond that which is already designed around people.”
