Agility Robotics, the company behind the creation of humanoid robots called Digit, has made a groundbreaking announcement. It is set to open a new factory called RoboFab in Salem, Oregon, with the capacity to produce up to 10,000 robots annually. This venture will also generate employment for over 500 individuals. The factory will commence operations in 2024, with the first batch of robots being delivered to customers.
Digit, the two-legged robot designed and manufactured by Agility Robotics, possesses remarkable capabilities. It can walk, run, climb stairs, carry boxes, and perform tasks that typically require human dexterity and mobility. Furthermore, Digit can operate harmoniously alongside humans in warehouses, factories, and other environments where conventional robots may face limitations.
The successful development and mass production of these robots have positioned Agility Robotics as a frontrunner in the field, surpassing competitors like Tesla. Several major companies, such as Ford, FedEx, and the US Air Force, have already placed orders for these robots. The introduction of Digit is anticipated to enhance efficiency, safety, and productivity across a multitude of industries.
The recent announcement of RoboFab has garnered significant attention and acclaim from leading robotics experts and pioneers. Rodney Brooks, co-founder of iRobot and Rethink Robotics, and an advisor to Agility Robotics, commended the milestone, stating that humanoid robots mark the pinnacle of artificial intelligence. Hiroshi Ishiguro, director of the Intelligent Robotics Laboratory at Osaka University, echoed this sentiment, underlining the importance of humanoid robots in their ability to interact with the world in a human-like manner.
Agility Robotics aims to not only develop a new generation of robots but also establish a new paradigm of collaboration between humans and robots. The company believes that humanoid robots are meant to enhance human abilities, rather than replace humans. As RoboFab gears up for its launch in 2024, the world stands on the precipice of a new era in robotics.
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