Amazon will begin testing Digit robots at facilities

Digit, the first humanoid robot designed specifically for logistics work, will initially be tested at Amazon’s robotics research and development facility located just south of Seattle. The robot is uniquely designed to move, grasp, and handle items in warehouses, even in tight spaces and corners.

Its human-like size and shape make it an ideal fit for buildings designed for human occupancy. Both Amazon and Agility Robotics believe that there is a substantial opportunity to scale up solutions like Digit, which can work collaboratively with employees and contribute to workplace safety.

Amazon plans to deploy Digit initially to assist employees with tote recycling, a repetitive process involving the picking up and moving of empty totes once inventory has been completely picked from them.

Damion Shelton, co-founder and CEO of Agility Robotics, expressed his enthusiasm about this development, stating, “When we announced our most recent version of Digit earlier this year, this is exactly the type of repetitive material handling deployment we had in mind; one that enables humans to be more human.” Emily Vetterick, Amazon Director of Engineering, echoed these sentiments: “Digit’s size and…