Agility Robotics Reportedly Securing $400M to Scale Production of Digit Humanoid

Agility Robotics, developer of the bipedal warehouse robot Digit, is reportedly closing a substantial $400 million funding round, according to reporting initially from The Information and subsequently covered by other outlets citing sources familiar with the matter. The new investment, said to be led by WP Global with participation from SoftBank and existing investor Amazon, would reportedly value the Oregon-based company at $1.75 billion.

Agility Robotics has declined to comment on the funding reports. If confirmed, this capital injection marks a significant step towards the company's goal of mass-producing its humanoid robots.

Bridging the Gap to Mass Production

Under the leadership of CEO Peggy Johnson, formerly of Microsoft and Magic Leap, Agility has been positioning Digit for deployment in logistics and warehouse environments. The company aims to produce robots that can work alongside humans, performing tasks like moving totes and packages.

Last year, Agility unveiled its "RoboFab" manufacturing facility in Salem, Oregon, stating an ambition to eventually produce over 10,000 Digit robots annually. The reported $400 million funding would likely be crucial for equipping and scaling this facility, transitioning Digit from relatively small-batch production to genuine mass manufacturing.

Currently, Digit robots come with a significant price tag, reportedly exceeding $100,000 each. Despite this, Agility has secured early adopters, including Amazon (which tested Digit in its facilities and invested previously via its Industrial Innovation Fund), GXO Logistics, and Spanx. Approximately 100 Digit units have been sold to date, with GXO publicly confirming deployments in an Atlanta facility last year.

Digit's Evolution and Capabilities

Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall, Digit is designed to navigate spaces built for humans, using legs designed for stability and maneuverability rather than strict human mimicry. It can reportedly lift objects up to 35 pounds. The robot utilizes a sensor suite including cameras and LiDAR for navigation and perception, communicating its intended movements via LED indicators that resemble blinking eyes.

Agility recently announced several updates to Digit, enhancing its utility and readiness for real-world deployment. These include a longer-lasting battery, autonomous charging capabilities, refined limb and end-effector designs for better grasping, and additional safety features crucial for operating near human workers. The robot's autonomous functions are developed using AI, leveraging tools from partner Nvidia, such as the Isaac Sim platform for simulation and Isaac Lab for training.

A Crowded Field

This reported funding arrives amid a surge of investment in the humanoid robot sector. Agility faces stiff competition from companies like Figure AI (which raised $675 million earlier this year), Apptronik ($350 million recently announced), Tesla with its Optimus project, Sanctuary AI, Collaborative Robotics, and others, all vying to develop and deploy capable humanoid machines.

While the potential for humanoid robots in various industries is high, significant challenges remain, including reducing costs, proving reliability and safety at scale, and demonstrating a clear return on investment for customers. Agility's reported $400 million round underscores investor confidence in its approach, but the true test lies in successfully scaling production and achieving widespread adoption in complex, real-world environments.