Agility Robotics has unveiled Digit 5, its newest humanoid robot designed for safe operation alongside humans in industrial settings. The company states that Digit 5 is engineered for cooperative work at scale, allowing it to perform tasks in close proximity to people without the need for traditional safety barriers. The robot can lift up to 50 pounds (22.7 kg) and operate for more than 20 hours daily, with a battery that recharges in nine minutes for a 90-minute runtime.
Digit 5 represents a significant step toward deploying humanoid robots in real-world warehouse and manufacturing environments. The robot's enhanced safety features, increased lifting capacity, and extended operational uptime aim to address labor shortages and the physical demands of warehouse jobs. Agility Robotics has secured over $300 million in multi-year orders for Digit 5, indicating strong market demand for such automation solutions. Early access for the robot is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2027, with general availability expected by the end of that year.
The development of Digit 5 builds upon Agility Robotics' three years of experience with its predecessor, Digit 4, which has logged over 65,000 hours of operational time across various customer sites. CEO Peggy Johnson stated that Digit 5 was built to meet specific customer requirements gathered from this operational experience. The robot's new safety architecture is designed to allow it to work in close proximity to people, a key factor in scaling humanoid robots in industrial settings. This cooperative safety feature includes proprietary AI algorithms for human detection, visual and auditory cues to signal intent, and an independent safety controller.
Hardware upgrades in Digit 5 include a redesigned leg system powered by proprietary cycloidal actuator technology, enabling it to repeatedly lift up to 50 pounds (22.7 kg). This increased payload capacity addresses single-person lift tasks within OSHA-regulated facilities. The robot's reach has also been extended to 7.2 feet (2.2 meters), an increase from Digit 4's 5.5 feet, allowing it to access higher shelves. A notable advancement is the battery system, which provides a 90-minute runtime and can be recharged in just nine minutes, offering a 10:1 run-to-charge ratio. This rapid charging capability enables Digit 5 to work over 20 hours in a 24-hour period.
Agility Robotics is also enhancing Digit 5's capabilities through its physical AI-based training approach, aiming to expand its manipulation skills for a wider range of facility workflows. These tasks include depalletizing, machine tending, kitting, sequencing, quality inspection, and palletizing for shipment. The robot will integrate with existing warehouse automation systems, such as AMRs, conveyors, and warehouse management systems, through Agility's robot management platform.
The company is assembling Digit 5 at RoboFab, its 70,000-square-foot facility in Salem, Oregon, designed to produce up to 10,000 robots annually. Agility Robotics is also expanding its engineering and development hubs in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Fremont, California. Early access to Digit 5 is slated for the first half of 2027, with general availability anticipated by the end of 2027. The company has also partnered with NVIDIA for its Halos for Robotics platform, integrating Agility's systems with NVIDIA IGX Thor and Halos Core infrastructure to enhance safety architecture.