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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 world chief in provide chain and omnichannel commerce. There are numerous warehouse administration programs (WMS) in the marketplace, however as one supply informed The Robotic Report, Manhattan Associates is “the usual bearer in the case of 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 Lively Warehouse Administration resolution.
WMS integration an vital step for Digit
Integrating new instruments with present programs will be difficult for warehouse operators. Guaranteeing compatibility with the industry-leading WMS is a crucial first step for Digit.
“Digit is already the world’s solely bipedal robotic at present delivering helpful work for purchasers, growing productiveness and security whereas serving to staff with troublesome and repetitive duties in warehouse and manufacturing operations,” said Peggy Johnson, CEO of Agility Robotics. “We’re thrilled to companion with Manhattan to streamline adoption of Agility’s options into present finest practices and produce Digit to extra warehouses around the globe.”
Manhattan Associates mentioned Agility is the primary humanoid to hitch each the MVP and the Manhattan Automation Community. Manhattan has comparable partnerships with Exotec, a supplier of automated storage and retrieval programs (ASRS) and Locus Robotics, the main developer of autonomous cellular robots (AMRs).
“Corporations are underneath huge strain to ship extra merchandise sooner and extra effectively, whereas going through large and rising labor shortages,” mentioned Eric Lamphier, senior director of alliances for Manhattan Associates. “Revolutionary robotics options, like Digit, will help fill these gaps, connecting islands of automation and enhancing operational effectivity.”
“We’re proud to be the primary WMS supplier to companion with a humanoid robotics supplier,” he added. “Collectively, Agility and Manhattan are making it simple for purchasers to combine cutting-edge know-how, like Digit and Agility Arc, into their warehouse workflows.”
Agility Arc is a brand new cloud-based platform designed to present 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 method into the world.
Agility Robotics lays off employees
Now for the unhealthy 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 employees. The firm despatched the next assertion:
“As a part of Agility’s ongoing efforts to construction the corporate for fulfillment, we have now parted methods with a small variety of staff that weren’t central to core product improvement and commercialization. On the identical time, we’re centered 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 world prospects, and including new roles that meet these objectives. We imagine immediately’s actions will permit us to give attention to the areas that drive productization, commercialization, and manufacturing of Digit.”
Johnson was named CEO of Agility Robotics one month in the past. The veteran know-how chief most just lately 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 answerable for driving strategic partnerships and transactions to speed up progress 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 crew.
Humanoid robotic race continues to speed up
As we’ve mentioned repeatedly over the previous yr, 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 just lately 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 attempting to assist with its new basis mannequin for humanoids, referred to as GR00T, that’s designed to convey 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 growing 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 turning into a difficulty in lots of nations and industries,” mentioned Accenture.
You may be taught extra concerning the state of humanoids on the Robotics Summit & Expo, which takes place Might 1-2 in Boston and is produced by The Robotic Report and father or mother firm WTWH Media.
Jonathan Hurst, co-founder and chief robotic officer of Agility Robotics, will ship a keynote referred to as “Humanoid Robots Get to Work.” It should 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 plenty of extra.