Agility Robotics, the Oregon-based startup behind the humanoid robot Digit, is reportedly closing in on a massive $400 million funding round, valuing the company at $1.75 billion. The round is said to be led by WP Global Partners, with participation from SoftBank Group, marking a significant step forward in the company’s mission to bring humanoid robots into mainstream warehouse operations.
This follows a previous $150 million round in 2022, which included backing from Amazon’s Industrial Innovation Fund, further underscoring growing investor confidence in the future of robotics-driven logistics.
Digit: A Workforce-Ready Humanoid
Digit is designed to work alongside humans in warehouses and logistics facilities. Standing 5’9” tall, it walks on two legs, lifts up to 35 pounds, and navigates human-centric environments with the help of cameras, LiDAR, and advanced sensors. Digit is already in use by companies like Amazon, Spanx, and GXO Logistics, where it’s performing real-world tasks such as tote consolidation—organizing and transporting storage containers.
Agility recently upgraded Digit with:
- Extended battery life
- Autonomous docking capabilities
- Redesigned limbs and end-effectors for improved dexterity
- New safety features for human-robot collaboration
These improvements bring Digit closer to becoming a commercially viable solution to labor shortages in warehouse environments.
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Humanoid Robotics Is Heating Up
Founded in 2015 by Jonathan Hurst, Damon Ashcraft, and Marion Hodgins, Agility Robotics spun out of Oregon State University. With nearly 100 Digit units already deployed, the company is ahead of many competitors in real-world implementation.
But competition is fierce:
- Tesla is developing Optimus, a general-purpose humanoid robot aimed at undercutting the cost of a car. Tesla’s manufacturing scale and AI experience give it a unique edge.
- Figure AI, backed by OpenAI and Microsoft, is building Figure 01, a robot targeting industrial labor tasks. While promising, it’s still in development and not yet deployed commercially.
- Apptronik (maker of Apollo) is focusing on commercial-ready robots for logistics, manufacturing, and retail. Its modular approach aims for scalable deployment in high-demand industries.
The Future of Humanoid Labor
This latest round positions Agility to expand its production pipeline and accelerate the rollout of Digit, as the demand for flexible automation and warehouse labor solutions grows globally.
With AI breakthroughs and hardware improvements converging, the humanoid robotics space is transitioning from concept to commercialization. Investors and industry leaders see these machines not just as futuristic novelties, but as practical answers to the challenges of labor shortages and operational efficiency.
As the race intensifies, Agility Robotics’ head start with Digit could be the edge it needs to outpace big players like Tesla, Figure AI, and Apptronik—and help redefine how humans and robots work together in the years to come.
