In context
In early 2025, humanoid robots were transitioning from research showcases to commercial deployments in logistics and manufacturing. Agility Robotics, with its Digit robot already operating in real-world facilities, used ProMat to announce upgrades aimed at scaling deployments and integrating with existing automation.
What was reported
Agility Robotics introduced several new capabilities for its humanoid robot Digit, designed to support rapid and scaled fleet deployment. Key upgrades include expanded battery capabilities that run more efficiently and last up to four hours, autonomous docking onto charging stations, and streamlined manufacturing processes.
Safety enhancements were a major focus, featuring a Category 1 (CAT1) stop, a Safety PLC, an on-robot E-stop, a wireless teach pendant with integrated E-stop, and Functional Safety over EtherCAT (FSoE). These features aim to comply with industrial safety standards and pave the way for cooperative safety applications in OSHA-regulated environments.
Digit also received new robust limbs and end effectors, enabling a wider range of grasping angles and unlocking new manipulation use cases. The company emphasized that humanoids should complement, not replace, Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). Digit can now autonomously dispatch AMRs to deliver items, and Agility's Arc cloud platform integrates with AMRs from MiR and Zebra Technologies. At ProMat, Digit demonstrated use cases such as tote stacking/unstacking, AMR loading/unloading, palletizing, and automated putwall.
Why it mattered
These advancements signal a shift from isolated humanoid demonstrations to integrated, safety-compliant fleet operations. By enabling humanoids to work alongside AMRs and existing automation, Agility addressed the 'islands of automation' problem, potentially accelerating adoption of humanoids in complex industrial environments where collaboration with people and machines is essential.
“Together, they reinforce our commitment to cooperative safety, and demonstrate a path for Digit and human colleagues to one day work side by side.”
Source: Robotics & Automation News (roboticsandautomationnews.com) · Published 2025-04-01 · “Agility Robotics adds new capabilities to its humanoid robot”