Agility Robotics today announced an updated version of its bipedal Digits warehouse robot. Designed to take on repetitive or injury-risk tasks, the new version adds a head (with animated LED eyes) and hands, and can handle a wider variety of demanding workloads than its predecessor.
The new Digits robot can “reach higher, carry more, last longer, charge faster and convey intent” better than the previous model. In addition, he is better at manipulating his environment, has sharper perception, and is better at human-robot interactions. The machine is 5’9″ tall and weighs about 140 pounds, including newly designed “end effectors” (hands) that help it reach high or low spaces and pick up or place plastic bags or other objects that are found in shipping warehouses.
“Warehouse work includes many repetitive tasks and is automated by processes that all too often lead to injuries and high turnover, leaving costly gaps in the workforce that entangle supply chains,” the company explains in a press release. “While automation can help fill those gaps, existing automation solutions are often single-purpose, meaning companies must incorporate and maintain dozens of different solutions for different tasks, or require costly customization of the workspace. ”. The idea is that a humanoid robot could better replicate the tasks typically assigned to humans.
agility robotics
Although automation can keep human workers from doing the most strenuous activities, it’s not always so neat: Machines are likely to eliminate human jobs altogether. What’s more, with wealth disparity already astronomically high, the robot comes as the world’s largest corporations have been laying off thousands of employees; it’s hard not to view these machines with both cynicism and wonder.
Agility Robotics will conduct fully autonomous live demos of Digits at ProMat Chicago this week (March 20-23). The company is also opening applications for places in its Agility Partner Program (APP), which will be the only place to purchase them initially. Pricing has yet to be announced and the first units are expected to ship to APP participants in early 2024. The company is targeting 2025 for general availability.
