Hearken to this text

Agility Arc is a cloud-based platform for managing fleets of humanoids. Supply: Agility Robotics

Agility Robotics made a few strategic strikes this week because it continues to commercialize its Digit humanoid. Let’s begin with the excellent news.

Agility is partnering with Manhattan Associates, a worldwide chief in provide chain and omnichannel commerce. There are a number of warehouse administration techniques (WMS) available on the market, however as one supply advised The Robotic Report, Manhattan Associates is “the usual bearer with regards to massive 3PL operations.”

Agility is becoming a member of the Manhattan Worth Companion (MVP) program and the Manhattan Automation Community for warehouse automation suppliers. Manhattan and Agility will combine Digit and Agility Arc, the firm’s new fleet administration software program launched at MODEX 2024, with the Manhattan Energetic Warehouse Administration answer.

WMS integration an necessary step for Digit

Integrating new instruments with present techniques might be difficult for warehouse operators. Making certain compatibility with the industry-leading WMS is a crucial first step for Digit.

“Digit is already the world’s solely bipedal robotic at the moment delivering helpful work for patrons, rising productiveness and security whereas serving to staff with tough and repetitive duties in warehouse and manufacturing operations,” acknowledged Peggy Johnson, CEO of Agility Robotics. “We’re thrilled to accomplice with Manhattan to streamline adoption of Agility’s options into present greatest practices and convey Digit to extra warehouses all over the world.”

Manhattan Associates mentioned Agility is the primary humanoid to hitch each the MVP and the Manhattan Automation Community. Manhattan has related partnerships with Exotec, a supplier of automated storage and retrieval techniques (ASRS) and Locus Robotics, the main developer of autonomous cell robots (AMRs).

“Firms are beneath huge stress to ship extra merchandise quicker and extra effectively, whereas going through large and rising labor shortages,” mentioned Eric Lamphier, senior director of alliances for Manhattan Associates. “Progressive robotics options, like Digit, will help fill these gaps, connecting islands of automation and bettering operational effectivity.”

“We’re proud to be the primary WMS supplier to accomplice with a humanoid robotics supplier,” he added. “Collectively, Agility and Manhattan are making it simple for patrons to combine cutting-edge expertise, like Digit and Agility Arc, into their warehouse workflows.”

Agility Arc is a brand new cloud-based platform designed to offer prospects higher management and perception into their Digit humanoids. Customers can monitor the standing and efficiency of every Digit, create workcells and workflows, and assign new duties to the robots.

Agility Robotics additionally now provides a couple of equipment for the Arc platform, together with a charging dock, a management pendant, and a workcell that comes with guarding, e-stops, monitored entrances, and extra. Since there aren’t any security requirements but for humanoids, these robots will have to be caged off as they initially make their approach into the world.

Agility Robotics lays off workers

Now for the dangerous information. Agility laid off an unspecified variety of staff yesterday. Now-former staff posted concerning the layoffs on social media, and The Robotic Report confirmed the discount in workers. The firm despatched the next assertion:

“As a part of Agility’s ongoing efforts to construction the corporate for achievement, now we have parted methods with a small variety of staff that weren’t central to core product improvement and commercialization. On the identical time, we’re targeted on assembly the extraordinary demand for bipedal robots throughout industrial use circumstances. Which means ramping up manufacturing of Digit whereas persevering with to win top-tier international prospects, and including new roles that meet these targets. We imagine as we speak’s actions will permit us to concentrate on the areas that drive productization, commercialization, and manufacturing of Digit.”

Johnson was named CEO of Agility Robotics one month in the past. The veteran expertise chief most not too long ago served as CEO of Magic Leap, which produces augmented actuality headsets. She led the corporate’s shift from client to enterprise and helped recapitalize the corporate.

Earlier than Magic Leap, Johnson spent six years as govt vice chairman of enterprise improvement at Microsoft. She reported on to CEO Satya Nadella and was chargeable for driving strategic partnerships and transactions to speed up development for the corporate and its prospects.

Agility Robotics co-founder Damion Shelton, who served as CEO because the firm’s founding in 2015, is now the corporate’s president and a part of Johnson’s management group.

Humanoid robotic race continues to speed up

As we’ve mentioned repeatedly over the previous 12 months, the humanoid race is heating up. And strikes like this partnership with Manhattan, coupled with its fleet administration system, present that Agility is the humanoid developer most able to tackle real-world work. The corporate has piloted its Digit humanoid with Amazon and GXO Logistics.

There are a number of different humanoid builders coming into early pilots with prospects. Determine not too long ago raised $675 million and is working with BMW. And Apptronik is working with Mercedes-Benz.

After all, all these humanoids nonetheless have to show their reliability. NVIDIA is making an attempt to assist with its new basis mannequin for humanoids, known as GR00T, that’s designed to carry robotics and embodied AI collectively.

Accenture can also be getting in on the motion. Final week, it introduced a strategic funding in Sanctuary AI, which is creating the Phoenix humanoid. The quantity of the funding was not disclosed.

“AI-powered humanoid robots are important to reinventing work and supporting human staff as labor scarcity is changing into a problem in lots of international locations and industries,” mentioned Accenture.

You may be taught extra concerning the state of humanoids on the Robotics Summit & Expo, which takes place Could 1-2 in Boston and is produced by The Robotic Report and dad or mum firm WTWH Media.

Jonathan Hurst, co-founder and chief robotic officer of Agility Robotics, will ship a keynote known as “Humanoid Robots Get to Work.” It’ll discover the technological breakthroughs propelling humanoids like Digit into real-world use circumstances. Attendees can be taught concerning the ongoing challenges and alternatives and can go inside Digit’s first pilots.

Study from Agility Robotics, Amazon, Disney, Teradyne and lots of extra.