Agility Robotics

Year of Establishment:
2015

Founders:
Jonathan Hurst (Co-founder & CTO, Ph.D. in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon University), Damion Shelton (Co-founder, background in robotics and engineering), and Mikhail Jones (Co-founder).

Company Description:
Agility Robotics develops humanoid robots designed to work in human-centric environments. Their primary product, Digit, automates physically demanding and repetitive tasks, addressing labor shortages in industries such as logistics, warehousing, and retail. Digit's human-like form allows it to navigate existing infrastructure without requiring major modifications. The company aims to enhance productivity and workplace safety through robotics, creating collaborative solutions that complement human workers.

Funding Status:
The company has raised approximately $295.18 million, with its most recent Series C-1 funding round on November 14, 2024, securing $105 million. Notable investors include DCVC, Playground Global, Amazon, Schaeffler Group, TDK Ventures, and Sony Innovation Fund.

AI Technologies Used:
Agility Robotics employs AI-based control systems to manage complex motion dynamics and perception systems that enable its robots to navigate and interact with human-centric environments.

Use Cases:
Digit is utilized for loading and unloading goods in logistics, palletizing and depalletizing for optimized storage, and tote recycling to enhance warehouse efficiency.

Team Size:
The company has around 225 employees as of 2024 and continues to expand due to increased market demand.

Traction:
Agility Robotics has collaborated with major companies such as Amazon and GXO Logistics. While revenue figures are not publicly disclosed, the company's rapid growth is evident through its funding success and increased deployment of Digit robots.

Competitors:
Main competitors include Boston Dynamics (Atlas humanoid robot), Figure AI (general-purpose humanoid robots), Apptronik (collaborative humanoid robots), PAL Robotics (service and industrial robots), and Locus Robotics (autonomous mobile robots for warehouse automation).

Potential Challenges or Issues:
Key challenges include overcoming technical limitations to ensure effective performance in dynamic environments, competing with well-funded robotics companies, and adhering to evolving safety and regulatory requirements.

Pricing Details:
Agility Robotics operates under a Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) subscription model. GXO Logistics reportedly pays around $30 per hour per Digit robot.

Notable Quotes:
Peggy Johnson, CEO of Agility Robotics, stated, "We are the first company to deploy a humanoid robot that's actually getting paid to do work." The company also describes Digit as "the front line for putting AI to work in the real world."

Sources:

  • Official Website: https://www.agilityrobotics.com/

  • PitchBook: https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/171265-96

  • DCVC Overview: https://www.dcvc.com/companies/agility-robotics

  • Business Insider: https://www.businessinsider.com/agility-robotics-humanoid-robots-are-filling-labor-gaps-warehouses-factories-2024-11

  • TIME: https://time.com/7094773/agility-robotics-digit/

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