Current:Home > BackRobot takeover? Agility Robotics to open first-ever factory to mass produce humanoid robots-LoTradeCoin
Robot takeover? Agility Robotics to open first-ever factory to mass produce humanoid robots
View Date:2024-12-23 20:17:14
If those animatronics at amusement parks or Arnold Schwarzinger's character in "The Terminator" set you on edge, you might want to keep away from Agility Robotics' newest factory.
The creators of Digit, a human-sized bipedal robot complete with "eyes," are bringing the world's first humanoid robot factory to Oregon, creatively named RoboFab.
Agility Robotics announced the opening in Salem, Oregon on Monday, saying they expect to soon have the capacity to produce 10,00 robots annually. Construction of the 70,000-square-foot facility began last year and is set to open in late 2023.
Creating advanced robots for sale to the public is a new development in the robotics industry, as access to such high-end tech has been generally reserved for entities such as businesses and government agencies in the past.
Now, however, Damion Shelton, Agility Robotics’ co-founder and CEO, said the opening of the facility marks a pivotal moment in the history of robots: the beginning of mass production of commercial humanoid bots.
“We built Digit to solve difficult problems in today’s workforce like injuries, burnout, high turnover and unfillable labor gaps, with the ultimate vision of enabling humans to be more human," Shelton told the Salem Statesman Journal, part of the USA TODAY network. "When you’re building new technology to make society better, the most important milestone is when you’re able to mass produce that technology at a scale where it can have a real, widespread impact.”
Robot dog patrols NYC:Not RoboCop, but a new robot is patrolling New York's Times Square subway station
Digit, the original humanoid robot
The first iteration of Digit was initially released in 2020 and featured a bipedal, human-sized design, though it was eerily headless. This Digit was capable of preforming some tasks autonomously, such as picking up a box, but would need help from a human to navigate through a room.
The new and improved version was released in March of this year, complete with a head and new set of animated LED "eyes." Described as "human-centric" and "multi-purpose," Digit's intended use is in warehouses and industrial spaces, performing dangerous or strenuous tasks that often cause injury to human workers, such as moving heavy materials.
“Supply chains are still feeling the aftereffects of the pandemic, and the demand for warehouse labor far exceeds available talent. Companies are turning to automation now more than ever to help mitigate future disruptions," Shelton said in a press release at the time. "With logistics labor issues such as high turnover, burnout, and injury continuing to rise, we believe Digit to be the future of work."
While Digit seems to have big ambitions to climb the corporate ladder, the robot currently still has fairly limited functionality, relegated mostly to simple tasks such as picking up and putting down objects, walking and crouching.
Musk introduces chip implant:Elon Musk's Neuralink chip is ready to embark on its first clinical trial. Here's how to sign up.
Robots, humans working together
At full capacity, the new factory will employ 500 human workers who will work alongside Digit robots to build, well, more robots. The robots already work in Agility's customer sites, moving, loading and unloading totes.
Company officials said they anticipate production capacity of hundreds of Digit robots in the first year, with the capability to scale to more than 10,000 robots per year.
"Digit is designed from the ground up to go where people go and do useful work, safely, in spaces designed for people," company officials said. "Because so many tasks are designed around human workflows, Digit’s human-centric design enables multi-purpose utility."
Customers in the company's Agility Partner Program can expect to receive the first Digit robots in 2024, according to the company. Digit is scheduled to be available in the general market in 2025 for a yet undisclosed price.
veryGood! (49)
Related
- Harriet Tubman posthumously honored as general in Veterans Day ceremony: 'Long overdue'
- Exes Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes Reunite at Copa America Final Match
- When does a presumptive nominee become a nominee? Here’s how Donald Trump will make it official
- Former Chicago hospitals executives charged in $15M embezzlement scheme
- NFL power rankings Week 11: Steelers, Eagles enjoying stealthy rises
- When does 2024 British Open start? How to watch golf's final major of season
- Powerball winning numbers for July 13 drawing: Jackpot rises to $64 million
- Billionaire Ambani wedding festivities included Kim Kardashian, Justin Bieber performance
- Pistons' Ausar Thompson cleared to play after missing 8 months with blood clot
- A journey through the films of Powell and Pressburger, courtesy of Scorsese and Schoonmaker
Ranking
- A pregnant woman sues for the right to an abortion in challenge to Kentucky’s near-total ban
- 'House of the Dragon' mutt returns for Episode 5 showing dogs rule
- Who is JD Vance? Things to know about Donald Trump’s pick for vice president
- What to watch as the Republican National Convention kicks off days after Trump assassination attempt
- Will Trump’s hush money conviction stand? A judge will rule on the president-elect’s immunity claim
- Watch: Satellite video tracks Beryl's path tearing through the Atlantic, Caribbean and U.S.
- Watch as Biden briefs reporters after Trump rally shooting: 'No place in America for this'
- Three hikers die in Utah parks as temperatures hit triple digits
Recommendation
-
Dogecoin soars after Trump's Elon Musk announcement: What to know about the cryptocurrency
-
Pauly Shore Honors “One of a Kind” Richard Simmons After Fitness Icon’s Death
-
Why Armie Hammer Says Being Canceled Was Liberating After Sexual Assault Allegations
-
Who's speaking at the 2024 RNC? Here's a full rundown of people on the list
-
Could trad wives, influencers have sparked the red wave among female voters?
-
A man is shot and injured during a confrontation with Vermont State Police troopers in Burke
-
Panel recommends removing ex-chancellor from Wisconsin college faculty post for making porn videos
-
The Smile cancels European concert tour after Jonny Greenwood hospitalized for infection