– Agility Robotics laid off a small number of employees as part of a company-wide focus on commercialization efforts
– The firm’s bipedal robot, Digit, has seen interest from top-tier global customers, with funding from a $150 million Series B two years ago
– Agility Robotics has made high-profile hires and is currently focused on ramping up production of Digit and adding new roles to meet demand
Agility Robotics recently laid off a small number of employees as part of a company-wide focus on commercialization efforts. The company is streamlining to focus on core product development and meeting the growing demand for bipedal robots in the industrial sector, particularly for understaffed warehouses.
The Oregon-based firm, which produced the bipedal robot Digit, has garnered interest from top-tier global customers, including Ford and Amazon. Despite a general slowdown in investments and adoption of robotic systems, Agility secured a $150 million Series B funding two years ago with Amazon participating in the round. However, the pilots conducted with Amazon at fulfillment centers have ended without any announcements for the next steps.
Other humanoid robotics firms such as Figure and Apptronik have announced their own pilots with automotive companies like BMW and Mercedes. Agility has also made significant hires over the past year, including executives from Magic Leap, Fetch, Apple, and Ford. The company currently has five open roles listed on its jobs page, focusing mainly on engineering and manufacturing positions.
Overall, Agility Robotics remains committed to productization, commercialization, and production of Digit, as it continues to adapt and innovate in the rapidly evolving robotics industry.