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How Agility Robotics’ humanoid bots are transforming warehouse operations at Spanx in Connecticut through a groundbreaking Robots-as-a-Service deployment.
Key Points
- Landmark Deployment: First Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) deployment of humanoid robots in a live warehouse environment.
- Multi-Year Agreement: Agility Robotics and GXO Logistics, Inc. partner for multi-year usage of Digit robots.
- Digit’s Capabilities: Mobile Manipulation Robot with a carrying capacity of 35 lb (15.9 kg), known for its distinctive backward legs.
- Automation Integration: Digit and Agility Arc will integrate with existing automation systems to streamline repetitive tasks.
- Future Potential: The agreement allows for the exploration of additional use cases and scaling of Digit’s usage based on demand.
- Industry Recognition: Digit named Robot of the Year in the RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards earlier in 2024.
In a landmark move for industrial automation, a fleet of Digits, the 5-foot 9-inch bipedal robots developed by Agility Robotics, has been deployed to haul totes in a Spanx factory in Connecticut. This marks the first Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) deployment of humanoid robots in a live warehouse environment.
Agility Robotics has entered a multi-year agreement with GXO Logistics, Inc., to utilize Digit Robots in their warehouses following a successful proof-of-concept pilot in 2023. Peggy Johnson, CEO of Agility Robotics, highlighted the significance of this deployment: “There will be many firsts in the humanoid robot market in the years to come, but I’m extremely proud of the fact that Agility is the first with actual humanoid robots deployed at a customer site, generating revenue, and solving real-world business problems.”
Digit, a Mobile Manipulation Robot (MMR) known for its distinctive backward legs, can carry up to 35 pounds (15.9 kg). Under the RaaS agreement, GXO will deploy fleets of Digit robots alongside Agility Arc, a cloud-based automation platform that facilitates robotic control, facility mapping, workflow definition, operational management, and troubleshooting.
The integration of Digit and Agility Arc with existing automation in the Spanx factory will streamline repetitive tasks, such as transferring totes from other robots to conveyors. Adrian Stoch, Chief Automation Officer at GXO, expressed his enthusiasm for the deployment: “We’re building on the success of last year’s groundbreaking pilot with Agility by deploying fully operational Digit humanoids into a live warehouse environment. Agility shares our philosophy of improving the working environment for our employees while optimizing operations for our customers.”
The RaaS agreement between Agility Robotics and GXO Logistics also opens the door to exploring additional use cases for Digit and scaling the robot’s usage according to demand. This deployment demonstrates the practical application of humanoid robots in solving real-world business challenges and improving efficiency in warehouse operations.
Digit has already garnered industry recognition, being named Robot of the Year in the RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards earlier in 2024. As Agility Robotics continues to innovate and expand its robotic solutions, the deployment at the Spanx factory represents a significant step forward in the integration of advanced robotics in industrial settings.
