Imagine a world where humanoid robots are as ubiquitous as the cars we drive or the smartphones we can’t live without. If Agility Robotics has its way, this vision of the future may soon become a reality.
During a recent showcase event, Jonathan Hurst, the co-founder of Agility Robotics, a Silicon Valley-based firm, introduced “Digit,” a humanoid robot, to investors and the press. Hurst, an engineer with a lifelong passion for creating anthropomorphic robots, believes we are at an inflection point in history. He envisions a future where we can casually interact with these machines and ask them for assistance with a wide range of tasks.
The current version of Digit is designed for tasks like loading and unloading bins, stacking items, and handling basic assignments. In a demonstration in front of a small audience, the robot exhibited its capacity to operate autonomously and solve problems in real-time, thanks to the integration of OpenAI’s ChatGPT 4.0 AI into its software.
However, this demonstration also shed light on the challenges associated with this technology in its current testing phase. When CNN Correspondent Veronica Miracle attempted to issue voice commands to one of the Digits, the command had to be repeated multiple times, and the robot executed the tasks out of order. Another robot, tasked with moving bins from a storage rack to a conveyor belt, toppled over and struggled to get back on its feet.
Agility Robotics has implemented strict safety regulations, which require humans to maintain a six-foot distance from Digit. Hurst explained that they need thousands of hours of operation to ensure the safety of these robots before they can work alongside humans seamlessly. It may take several years to reach that level of confidence.
Upon first glance, Digit might evoke memories of a Star Wars battle droid, with its agile and upgraded body type. But the coexistence of highly intelligent robots with humans is no longer confined to science fiction. Just two weeks ago, Amazon announced plans to test Digit in one of its Seattle warehouses. (Amazon is an investor in Agility Robotics, Digit’s parent company.)
Digit is part of a broader fleet of robots tested by Amazon, which already includes “over 750,000 robots working collaboratively with our employees.” Initially, this bipedal humanoid will be assigned a specific task: assisting employees with tote recycling, a repetitive process of picking up and moving empty totes after their contents have been removed.
However, not everyone is enthusiastic about the prospect of robotic co-workers, as many workers across various industries are concerned about job security. In Hollywood, the Writers Guild of America recently ended a strike after reaching an agreement with studio executives to restrict the use of artificial intelligence, which had raised concerns about threatening jobs and salaries for writers. Actors are still on strike, with the use of AI to replicate actors being a key point of contention.
Hurst disputes the notion that Digit will replace jobs in the immediate future, emphasizing that deploying a large number of robots all at once is both disruptive and logistically challenging. Building and scaling physical hardware takes time, and Agility Robotics is focused on gradual integration. Hurst did not disclose the number of Digits currently being tested by Amazon, but he anticipates that their new robot factory in Oregon will be capable of producing 10,000 Digits annually by 2027.
Melonee Wise, Agility’s Chief Technology Officer, spoke optimistically about Digit’s potential. She views Digit as more than just a piece of hardware, describing Agility as a software company. They aim to establish a platform that serves as an “app store for labor,” providing a versatile foundation for a wide range of applications and tasks.
Image credit: Agility Robotics