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Agility Robotics

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Overview

Agility Robotics, Inc. is a pioneering American company in the field of humanoid robotics and engineering. Founded in 2015 as a spin-off from Oregon State University's Dynamic Robotics Lab, the company has quickly established itself as a leader in industrial humanoid robot development. Key Highlights:

  • Founding: Co-founded by Jonathan Hurst, Damion Shelton, and Mikhail Jones, building on Hurst's research in dynamic stability and bipedal locomotion.
  • Products:
    1. Cassie (2016): A bipedal robot without an upper body, sold as a research platform.
    2. Digit (2017): A full-size humanoid robot with a torso, arms, and advanced perception systems.
  • Technology: Digit features a unique bipedal structure, advanced AI capabilities, and operates on a Linux-based real-time system powered by Intel i7 processors.
  • Partnerships: Collaborations with companies like GXO Logistics and Amazon for logistics and warehouse applications.
  • Funding: Raised $179.6 million to date, including a $150 million round in 2024.
  • Manufacturing: Established RoboFab, a humanoid robotics factory in Salem, Oregon. Agility Robotics focuses on developing autonomous robots for supply chain, manufacturing, and logistics sectors. Their flagship product, Digit, is designed for tasks such as lifting, carrying, and placing items in various industrial settings. The company continues to innovate in areas such as safety features, battery efficiency, and advanced AI integration, positioning itself at the forefront of the industrial humanoid robot market.

Leadership Team

Agility Robotics boasts a diverse and experienced leadership team, driving the company's growth and innovation in the humanoid robotics industry:

  1. Peggy Johnson - Chief Executive Officer (March 2024)
    • Brings decades of technology leadership experience
    • Focuses on sales, strategic partnerships, and scaling robot production
  2. Damion Shelton - President, Chief Engagement Officer, Co-Founder
    • Transitioned from CEO role
    • Concentrates on commercial and investor engagements
  3. Melonee Wise - Chief Product Officer (May 2024)
    • Leads engineering and product organization
    • Extensive robotics experience, former CEO of Fetch Robotics
  4. Pras Velagapudi - Chief Technology Officer (May 2024)
    • Focuses on product-relevant innovations and R&D efforts
    • Explores new technologies, particularly in AI
  5. Daniel Diez - Chief Strategy Officer (May 2024)
    • Oversees business strategy, marketing, and communications
    • Expanded responsibilities include business development and operational oversight
  6. Jonathan Hurst - Chief Robot Officer, Co-Founder
    • Plays a crucial role in technical development of robots
  7. Jennifer Hunter - Chief Financial Officer (December 2024)
    • Oversees accounting, finance, manufacturing, supply chain, and quality operations
  8. Ana Lang - General Counsel (December 2024) This diverse leadership team combines expertise in robotics, technology, strategy, and business operations, positioning Agility Robotics for continued growth and innovation in the humanoid robotics market.

History

Agility Robotics has evolved from a university spin-off to a leader in humanoid robotics. Key milestones include:

  1. Founding (2015)
    • Spun off from Oregon State University's Dynamic Robotics Lab
    • Co-founded by Jonathan Hurst, Damion Shelton, and Mikhail Jones
  2. Cassie Introduction (2016)
    • First bipedal robot without upper body
    • Sold as a research platform
  3. Digit Development (2017)
    • Full-size humanoid robot with torso, arms, and perception system
    • Initially sold to academic labs and research institutes
  4. Industry Expansion (2021)
    • Digit capabilities expanded for warehouse and logistics industry
  5. Partnerships and Growth (2023-2024)
    • Partnerships with Amazon and GXO Logistics
    • Announced RoboFab, first humanoid robotics factory in Salem, Oregon
    • Capacity to produce over 10,000 robots annually
  6. Funding and Leadership
    • Raised $179.6 million in total funding
    • Appointed Peggy Johnson as CEO in 2024 Agility Robotics has successfully transitioned from research to commercial production of humanoid robots, marking significant advancements in robotics for industrial applications.

Products & Solutions

Agility Robotics offers innovative solutions centered around their advanced humanoid robot, Digit, and cloud automation platform, Agility Arc.

Digit - The Humanoid Robot

Digit is a bipedal Mobile Manipulation Robot (MMR) designed for logistics and manufacturing tasks:

  • Multi-purpose capability: Equipped with a torso, arms, and full perception system for loading/unloading putwalls, tote recycling, and working with flow racks and carts.
  • Safety and reliability: Engineered to meet OSHA requirements, ensuring safe operation in human spaces.
  • Advanced AI: Utilizes reinforcement-learning and generative AI models to refine and enhance capabilities over time.

Agility Arc - Cloud Automation Platform

Agility Arc complements Digit by managing and integrating automated workflows:

  • Accelerates automation deployment from weeks to hours
  • Seamlessly integrates with leading warehouse management systems
  • Allows dynamic adaptability to changing business requirements
  • Provides robust security and uninterrupted reliability
  • Features a user-friendly interface for efficient operation management

Automation Solutions

Agility Robotics offers several solutions leveraging Digit and Agility Arc:

  • Putwall loading/unloading
  • Tote recycling
  • Integration with Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)
  • Flow rack and cart operations
  • Goods-to-person (G2P) systems

Partnerships and Support

  • Ricoh partnership: Expands customer support through Ricoh's Service Advantage program
  • Collaborations with GXO Logistics, Zion Solutions Group, and Manhattan Associates for diverse deployment scenarios Agility Robotics' products and solutions aim to enhance operational efficiency, simplify automation deployment, and provide robust support in logistics and manufacturing sectors.

Core Technology

Agility Robotics' core technology encompasses several key components and innovative approaches:

Proprietary Actuation Technology

  • Crucial for robots' physical performance
  • Combined with sophisticated sensor-fusion and carefully-designed robot dynamics
  • Ensures unmatched physical capabilities

Advanced AI and Machine Learning

  • Employs reinforcement-learning and generative AI models
  • Enables robots to acquire and hone skills over time
  • Utilizes large language models for natural language commands

Digit - Mobile Manipulation Robot (MMR)

  • Flagship bipedal robot
  • Designed for logistics and manufacturing operations
  • Multi-purpose and human-centric
  • Capable of working safely in human spaces

Agility Arc - Cloud Automation Platform

  • Simplifies deployment lifecycle
  • Facilitates facility mapping and workflow definition
  • Enables efficient management of Digit fleets
  • Integrates with existing systems

Sensor-Fusion and Robot Dynamics

  • Enables navigation of complex workflows
  • Allows robust interaction with diverse environments and objects
  • Ensures precision and adaptability in task performance

Integration and Ecosystem

  • Aims to create an ecosystem similar to an app store
  • Simplifies automation deployment
  • Integrates with industry solutions (e.g., Manhattan Active Warehouse Management) Agility Robotics' core technology combines advanced robotics, AI, and cloud-based solutions to create versatile, efficient, and easily deployable automation systems for various industries.

Industry Peers

Agility Robotics operates within the robotics and automation industry, competing with several key players:

Boston Dynamics

  • Develops advanced mobile manipulation robots
  • Focuses on legged robots with impressive mobility and agility
  • Serves manufacturing, energy, construction, logistics, and government sectors

ANYbotics

  • Specializes in autonomous mobile robots for industrial inspection and monitoring
  • Designs robots for challenging environments

Ghost Robotics

  • Focuses on quadrupedal robots for military, public safety, and commercial applications
  • Known for rugged design and advanced capabilities

RoboTiCan

  • Develops legged robots for search and rescue missions
  • Designs robots to navigate rough terrain in emergency situations

Sanctuary AI

  • Creates humanoid general-purpose robots
  • Combines human-like dexterity with advanced artificial intelligence

Figure

  • Develops general-purpose humanoid robots like Figure 01
  • Targets manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, and retail sectors

Apptronik

  • Specializes in humanoid robots for various automation tasks
  • Main product: Apollo, a general-purpose humanoid robot

Asylon

  • Focuses on security robotics
  • Offers robotic perimeter security and security drones

Hello Robot

  • Offers fully integrated mobile robots for navigating cluttered environments
  • Designs versatile robots for various applications

Eureka Robotics

  • Develops robotic software and systems for industrial automation These companies compete with Agility Robotics in developing and deploying advanced robotic solutions, each with unique focus areas and technological advancements. The industry is characterized by rapid innovation and diverse applications across multiple sectors.

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