Agility Robotics, the company behind the development of advanced humanoid robots called Digit, has made a groundbreaking announcement. It plans to open the first-ever factory dedicated to mass-producing humanoid robots in Salem, Oregon. Named RoboFab, this state-of-the-art facility is projected to produce up to 10,000 robots annually and provide employment opportunities for over 500 individuals. The inaugural deliveries of Digit robots are expected to commence in 2024.
Digit robots, distinguished by their bipedal structure, possess the ability to emulate human-like mobility and agility. These robots can perform a variety of tasks including walking, running, climbing stairs, and carrying objects. Unlike traditional robots, Digit can operate alongside humans in warehouses, factories, and other environments requiring human-level dexterity.
Jonathan Hurst, Agility Robotics’ co-founder and chief technology officer, envisions RoboFab as not just a conventional factory, but a revolutionary venture shaping the future of work. Damion Shelton, co-founder and CEO of Agility Robotics, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing their goal to build a new paradigm of human-robot collaboration.
Numerous esteemed companies, such as Ford, FedEx, and the US Air Force, have already placed orders with Agility Robotics for Digit robots. The introduction of Digit is anticipated to enhance efficiency, safety, and productivity across various industries.
Renowned figures in the robotics field have lauded the establishment of RoboFab. Rodney Brooks, co-founder of iRobot and Rethink Robotics, and an advisor to Agility Robotics, describes the factory as a significant milestone for robotics and humanity’s future. Hiroshi Ishiguro, director of the Intelligent Robotics Laboratory at Osaka University, recognizes humanoid robots as the pinnacle of artificial intelligence due to their ability to interact with the world in a manner comparable to humans.
Agility Robotics envisions Digit not as a replacement for humans, but as a means to augment and amplify their capabilities. As the launch of RoboFab draws nearer, it heralds the advent of a new era in robotics, demonstrating the potential for further advancements in human-robot collaboration.
Sources:
– Agility Robotics is opening a humanoid robot factory, beating Tesla to the punch, CNBC, September 18, 2023
– Agility Robotics is building its first bipedal robot factory in Oregon, MSN, September 18, 2023
– Agility Robotics will mass-produce humanoid warehouse robots in new Oregon factory, MSN, September 18, 2023
– Humanoid robots are coming to a warehouse near you, The Verge, September 19, 2023