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Agility Arc is a cloud-based platform for managing fleets of humanoids. Supply: Agility Robotics
Agility Robotics made a few strategic strikes this week because it continues to commercialize its Digit humanoid. Let’s begin with the excellent news.
Agility is partnering with Manhattan Associates, a world chief in provide chain and omnichannel commerce. There are quite a lot of warehouse administration programs (WMS) in the marketplace, however as one supply instructed The Robotic Report, Manhattan Associates is “the usual bearer with regards to giant 3PL operations.”
Agility is becoming a member of the Manhattan Worth Companion (MVP) program and the Manhattan Automation Community for warehouse automation suppliers. Manhattan and Agility will combine Digit and Agility Arc, the corporate’s new fleet administration software program launched at MODEX 2024, with the Manhattan Lively Warehouse Administration resolution.
WMS integration an essential step for Digit
Integrating new instruments with present programs may be difficult for warehouse operators. Making certain compatibility with the industry-leading WMS is a crucial first step for Digit.
“Digit is already the world’s solely bipedal robotic at present delivering helpful work for patrons, rising productiveness and security whereas serving to employees with tough and repetitive duties in warehouse and manufacturing operations,” said Peggy Johnson, CEO of Agility Robotics. “We’re thrilled to associate with Manhattan to streamline adoption of Agility’s options into present finest practices and convey Digit to extra warehouses world wide.”
Manhattan Associates mentioned Agility is the primary humanoid to affix each the MVP and the Manhattan Automation Community. Manhattan has comparable partnerships with Exotec, a supplier of automated storage and retrieval programs (ASRS) and Locus Robotics, the main developer of autonomous cell robots (AMRs).
“Corporations are below monumental stress to ship extra merchandise sooner and extra effectively, whereas going through large and rising labor shortages,” mentioned Eric Lamphier, senior director of alliances for Manhattan Associates. “Revolutionary robotics options, like Digit, will help fill these gaps, connecting islands of automation and bettering operational effectivity.”
“We’re proud to be the primary WMS supplier to associate with a humanoid robotics supplier,” he added. “Collectively, Agility and Manhattan are making it simple for patrons to combine cutting-edge know-how, like Digit and Agility Arc, into their warehouse workflows.”
Agility Arc is a brand new cloud-based platform designed to offer prospects higher management and perception into their Digit humanoids. Customers can monitor the standing and efficiency of every Digit, create workcells and workflows, and assign new duties to the robots.
Agility Robotics additionally now presents a couple of equipment for the Arc platform, together with a charging dock, a management pendant, and a workcell that comes with guarding, e-stops, monitored entrances, and extra. Since there aren’t any security requirements but for humanoids, these robots will should be caged off as they initially make their manner into the world.
Agility Robotics lays off employees
Now for the unhealthy information. Agility laid off an unspecified variety of workers yesterday. Now-former workers posted concerning the layoffs on social media, and The Robotic Report confirmed the discount in employees. The firm despatched the next assertion:
“As a part of Agility’s ongoing efforts to construction the corporate for achievement, we now have parted methods with a small variety of workers that weren’t central to core product improvement and commercialization. On the similar time, we’re centered on assembly the extraordinary demand for bipedal robots throughout industrial use circumstances. Meaning ramping up manufacturing of Digit whereas persevering with to win top-tier world prospects, and including new roles that meet these objectives. We imagine at present’s actions will permit us to concentrate on the areas that drive productization, commercialization, and manufacturing of Digit.”
Johnson was named CEO of Agility Robotics one month in the past. The veteran know-how chief most not too long ago served as CEO of Magic Leap, which produces augmented actuality headsets. She led the corporate’s shift from shopper to enterprise and helped recapitalize the corporate.
Earlier than Magic Leap, Johnson spent six years as govt vp of enterprise improvement at Microsoft. She reported on to CEO Satya Nadella and was answerable for driving strategic partnerships and transactions to speed up progress for the corporate and its prospects.
Agility Robotics co-founder Damion Shelton, who served as CEO because the firm’s founding in 2015, is now the corporate’s president and a part of Johnson’s management staff.
Humanoid robotic race continues to speed up
As we’ve mentioned repeatedly over the previous 12 months, the humanoid race is heating up. And strikes like this partnership with Manhattan, coupled with its fleet administration system, present that Agility is the humanoid developer most able to tackle real-world work. The corporate has piloted its Digit humanoid with Amazon and GXO Logistics.
There are a number of different humanoid builders getting into early pilots with prospects. Determine not too long ago raised $675 million and is working with BMW. And Apptronik is working with Mercedes-Benz.
After all, all these humanoids nonetheless have to show their reliability. NVIDIA is making an attempt to assist with its new basis mannequin for humanoids, referred to as GR00T, that’s designed to deliver robotics and embodied AI collectively.
Accenture can be getting in on the motion. Final week, it introduced a strategic funding in Sanctuary AI, which is growing the Phoenix humanoid. The quantity of the funding was not disclosed.
“AI-powered humanoid robots are important to reinventing work and supporting human employees as labor scarcity is changing into a problem in lots of international locations and industries,” mentioned Accenture.
You may be taught extra concerning the state of humanoids on the Robotics Summit & Expo, which takes place Might 1-2 in Boston and is produced by The Robotic Report and dad or mum firm WTWH Media.
Jonathan Hurst, co-founder and chief robotic officer of Agility Robotics, will ship a keynote referred to as “Humanoid Robots Get to Work.” It would discover the technological breakthroughs propelling humanoids like Digit into real-world use circumstances. Attendees can be taught concerning the ongoing challenges and alternatives and can go inside Digit’s first pilots.
Be taught from Agility Robotics, Amazon, Disney, Teradyne and lots of extra.
The publish Agility Robotics companions with main WMS supplier, cuts employees appeared first on The Robotic Report.
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