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Agility Robotics Digit Review 2026: Price, Specs, Performance & ROI Analysis

Last updated:
February 15, 2026
By
Dean Fankhauser
Agility Robotics Digit Review 2026: Price, Specs, Performance & ROI Analysis

What Is the Agility Robotics Digit?

The Agility Robotics Digit is the world's first commercially deployed humanoid robot purpose-built for logistics and warehouse automation. Developed by Oregon-based Agility Robotics, Digit combines biomechanics-inspired bipedal locomotion with practical manipulation capabilities to handle the repetitive, physically demanding tasks that human workers increasingly avoid. Winner of The Robot Report's inaugural RBR50 Robot of the Year Award, Digit stands apart from competitors by being the only humanoid robot currently generating revenue from paying commercial customers.

If you're researching the best humanoid robots on the market, Digit deserves serious consideration — especially for warehouse and distribution center applications. In this comprehensive Agility Robotics Digit review, we break down everything from technical specifications and real-world performance to pricing, total cost of ownership, and how it compares to rivals like Tesla Optimus and Figure 02.

Agility Robotics Digit: Complete Technical Specifications

Before diving into performance analysis, here's every specification you need to evaluate Agility Robotics Digit for your operation:

Specification Digit (Current Gen) Digit (Next Gen — Late 2025+)
Height5 ft 9 in (175 cm)5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight140 lb (63.5 kg)~140 lb (63.5 kg)
Payload Capacity35 lb (16 kg)50 lb (22.6 kg)
Degrees of Freedom (Total)28 DOF30+ DOF (est.)
Arm DOF3 DOF per armEnhanced dexterity (TBA)
Walking Speed3.4 mph (5.4 km/h)3.4+ mph
Battery LifeUp to 8 hours (task-dependent)Improved (TBA)
Charging Ratio2:1 (2 operating, 1 charging)4:1 to 10:1 target
LiDARYes — onboard LiDARYes
Depth Cameras4× Intel RealSense depth camerasUpgraded sensor suite
Additional SensorsRGB cameras, MEMS IMU, gyroscope, absolute & incremental encoders, arm force sensorsEnhanced perception
LocomotionReverse-jointed bipedal legsReverse-jointed bipedal legs
DesignHeadless torso, purpose-builtHeadless torso, purpose-built
Self-RecoveryYes — can stand up after fallsYes
Terrain HandlingFlat floors, ramps, stairsFlat floors, ramps, stairs
Fleet ManagementAgility Arc (cloud platform)Agility Arc (enhanced)
Safety CertificationPursuing ISO functional safetyISO functional safety (target)
Manufacturing CapacityRoboFab (Salem, OR) — up to 10,000 units/year10,000+ units/year

Sensor Suite Deep Dive

Digit's perception stack is one of its strongest differentiators. The four Intel RealSense depth cameras provide 360-degree spatial awareness, while the onboard LiDAR generates high-resolution 3D maps of the working environment. The MEMS IMU and gyroscope handle balance and orientation at millisecond response times — critical for a bipedal platform that must maintain stability while carrying payloads. Force sensors in each arm enable compliant manipulation, allowing Digit to grasp totes of varying weights without crushing contents or dropping loads.

This sensor fusion approach means Digit can autonomously navigate warehouse aisles, detect obstacles (including human workers), and precisely locate pick-and-place targets without external infrastructure like QR codes or magnetic floor strips.

The Reverse-Jointed Leg Design

Digit's most visually distinctive feature — its reverse-jointed (digitigrade) legs — isn't just aesthetic. This biomechanics-inspired design, rooted in CEO Jonathan Hurst's doctoral research at Carnegie Mellon University and years of locomotion research at Oregon State University, provides several engineering advantages:

  • Energy efficiency: The spring-loaded leg design stores and returns energy during each step cycle, reducing power consumption compared to traditional straight-legged humanoid designs.
  • Dynamic stability: The leg geometry lowers Digit's center of gravity, improving balance during payload manipulation.
  • Compact turning radius: Digit can pivot in tight warehouse aisles that would challenge wider-stance humanoids.
  • Fall recovery: The leg configuration allows Digit to autonomously return to standing position after a fall — a capability most competitors lack.

Real-World Performance: How Digit Works in the Field

Theory is one thing; commercial deployment is another. Here's what we know about Digit's actual performance from its groundbreaking deployments.

The Spanx Deployment — First Paying Customer

In 2024, Agility Robotics achieved what no other humanoid company had: deploying robots at a paying customer's facility. A small fleet of Digit humanoids went to work at a Spanx distribution center in Flowery Branch, Georgia. The workflow involves:

  1. 6 River Systems' "Chuck" AMRs deliver totes to a designated station
  2. Digit picks up totes (empty or full) from either the top or bottom shelf of the AMR
  3. Digit places totes onto conveyors for downstream processing

This tote-transfer task represents one of the most common — and most physically taxing — repetitive workflows in modern distribution centers. The deployment is managed through Agility Arc, the company's cloud-based fleet orchestration platform that handles task assignment, scheduling, monitoring, and analytics across all deployed Digit units.

Amazon Testing

Amazon, which invested in Agility Robotics during its $150 million Series B round in 2022, has also tested Digit at its facilities. While specific details remain under NDA, Amazon's involvement signals strong validation from the world's largest logistics operation. The e-commerce giant processes millions of packages daily and has been aggressively investing in warehouse automation — making it an ideal proving ground for humanoid robots.

Performance Metrics We Know

  • Uptime ratio: Currently 2:1 (two Digits operating while one charges). Target is 4:1, eventually 10:1.
  • Task throughput: While Agility hasn't published exact picks-per-hour numbers, the under-2-year ROI claim (vs. a $30/hour fully loaded worker) implies Digit can handle roughly 60-75% of a human worker's throughput in targeted tote-transfer tasks.
  • Reliability: Digit can self-recover from falls, reducing downtime from the most common failure mode in bipedal robots.
  • Deployment speed: Agility Arc's cloud platform enables relatively quick commissioning of new Digit units within an existing fleet.

Agility Robotics Digit Price: What Does It Actually Cost?

The Agility Robotics Digit price is one of the most searched questions in the humanoid robotics space — and for good reason. Understanding the full cost picture requires looking beyond the sticker price.

Purchase Price

The estimated purchase price for a single Digit unit is approximately $250,000. This figure comes from multiple industry sources and pilot program pricing. However, Agility Robotics primarily offers Digit through its Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) model rather than outright sales, so the purchase price is somewhat academic for most buyers.

RaaS Leasing Model

Agility Robotics' preferred delivery model is Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS), which includes:

  • Hardware (Digit units)
  • Agility Arc fleet management software
  • Maintenance and support
  • Software updates and capability upgrades
  • Flexible contract terms
  • Ability to add units for peak demand periods
  • Performance milestone clauses

While exact monthly RaaS pricing isn't publicly disclosed, CEO Peggy Johnson's statement about targeting an "under 2-year ROI versus a human at a fully loaded $30 per hour" gives us a framework for estimation.

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Analysis

Cost Factor Human Worker (Fully Loaded) Digit (Estimated)
Annual Labor/Lease Cost$62,400 ($30/hr × 2,080 hrs)$50,000–$75,000 (RaaS est.)
Benefits & Insurance$15,000–$25,000Included in RaaS
Training$2,000–$5,000/yearMinimal (cloud-managed)
Turnover Costs$5,000–$10,000/year (warehouse avg.)$0
Workers' Comp$3,000–$8,000/year$0
Shift Availability1 shift (8 hrs)16+ hrs (with charging rotation)
3-Year TCO$263,000–$330,000$150,000–$225,000 (RaaS est.)
5-Year TCO$438,000–$550,000$250,000–$375,000 (RaaS est.)

These estimates assume single-shift human comparison. Digit's ability to work 16+ hours daily (with charging rotation) effectively doubles the value proposition. For a more detailed breakdown of humanoid robot costs across the industry, see our comprehensive pricing guide.

ROI Timeline

Based on Agility's guidance of "under 2-year ROI vs. $30/hour fully loaded," expect:

  • Break-even: 18–24 months under RaaS model
  • Positive ROI: Year 2+ with increasing returns as Digit capabilities expand via software updates
  • Fleet scaling benefits: Per-unit costs decrease as fleet size grows, improving ROI for larger deployments

Digit vs. Competitors: How Does It Stack Up?

The humanoid robot market is heating up fast. Here's how Digit compares to the leading humanoid robot competitors across key metrics:

Feature Agility Digit Tesla Optimus Gen 2 Figure 02 Unitree H1 Sanctuary AI Phoenix Apptronik Apollo
Height5'9" (175 cm)5'8" (173 cm)5'6" (168 cm)5'11" (180 cm)5'7" (170 cm)5'8" (173 cm)
Weight140 lb (63.5 kg)~135 lb (61 kg)154 lb (70 kg)105 lb (47 kg)155 lb (70 kg)160 lb (73 kg)
Payload35 lb → 50 lb~20 lb (est.)44 lb (20 kg)66 lb (30 kg)55 lb (25 kg)55 lb (25 kg)
DOF2828+282730+34
Battery LifeUp to 8 hrs~5 hrs (est.)~5 hrs (est.)~2 hrs4+ hrs4+ hrs
Walking Speed3.4 mph3.1 mph2.5 mph5.6 mph3.0 mph2.5 mph
Est. Price~$250,000 (RaaS)$20,000–$30,000 (target)TBA~$90,000TBATBA
Hands/GrippersCustom end effectors11-DOF hands16-DOF handsBasic grippers20-DOF handsCustom end effectors
Commercial Deployment Active (paying customers) Internal testing only️ Limited pilots R&D / demos️ Limited pilots️ Limited pilots
Fleet ManagementAgility Arc (cloud)Not announcedNot announcedNot announcedNot announcedNot announced
Self-RecoveryUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknown
Manufacturing Scale10,000/yr capacityMassive (Tesla factories)LimitedModerateLimitedLimited

Key Competitive Advantages

Digit's biggest edge is commercial maturity. While competitors are still in R&D, demo, or limited pilot phases, Digit is deployed at paying customer sites generating revenue. This head start means Agility Robotics is collecting real-world operational data that feeds directly into hardware and software improvements — a flywheel effect that's hard for late entrants to replicate.

For a detailed head-to-head analysis, read our Tesla Optimus vs. Agility Robotics Digit comparison.

Where Competitors Have the Edge

  • Tesla Optimus: Tesla's manufacturing scale and aggressive price targets ($20,000–$30,000) could dramatically undercut Digit on unit economics — if Tesla delivers on those promises.
  • Figure 02: Figure's 16-DOF dexterous hands offer superior manipulation for tasks requiring fine motor skills, such as assembly work.
  • Unitree H1: At roughly $90,000 and with 5.6 mph walking speed, the Unitree H1 offers a compelling price-to-performance ratio for research and lighter-duty applications.
  • Sanctuary AI Phoenix: Phoenix's 20-DOF hands and Carbon AI system represent the most advanced general-purpose manipulation approach.

Digit's Evolution: From ATRIAS to Commercial Deployment

Understanding Digit's development history provides critical context for evaluating its maturity and trajectory. Unlike many humanoid robot startups that jumped straight from concept to prototype, Agility Robotics built Digit on over a decade of fundamental locomotion research.

ATRIAS (2011–2015): The Foundation

The story begins at Oregon State University, where Jonathan Hurst's Dynamic Robotics Laboratory developed ATRIAS — a research platform designed to test theoretical models of animal locomotion. ATRIAS looked nothing like a commercial product: it was essentially a mechanical scaffold with spring-loaded legs. But it proved something revolutionary — that robots could walk and run dynamically across uneven outdoor terrain using principles borrowed from biomechanics rather than the rigid, pre-programmed movements that characterized most legged robots at the time.

ATRIAS demonstrated that compliant, spring-mass locomotion models could achieve stable, energy-efficient walking. This breakthrough became the theoretical foundation for everything that followed.

Cassie (2017–2019): Walking Gets Real

Agility Robotics' first commercial product wasn't Digit — it was Cassie, a bipedal robot consisting of only legs and a torso (no arms or upper body). Cassie was sold primarily to research institutions and became a popular platform for studying bipedal locomotion and reinforcement learning. Importantly, Cassie validated that Agility's locomotion technology could be manufactured and deployed outside the lab. The robot gained viral attention for its ability to navigate stairs, grass, and various terrains that challenged other legged robots.

Cassie also served as a critical revenue source and market validation tool. Several dozen units were sold to universities and research labs worldwide, generating early revenue and building a customer base that provided valuable feedback.

Digit v1–v3 (2019–2023): Adding Upper Body and Purpose

The transition from Cassie to Digit involved adding an upper body with arms, a sensor suite for perception, and the software intelligence needed for autonomous manipulation tasks. Early Digit prototypes were demonstrated in package delivery scenarios (including a collaboration with Ford for last-mile delivery) before Agility pivoted to focus exclusively on warehouse and logistics applications — a much larger and more immediate market.

Each successive version refined the hardware, improved battery life, expanded the sensor suite, and added manipulation capabilities. By Digit v3, the platform was mature enough for extended pilot programs with major logistics companies.

Digit v4 (2024–Present): Commercial Deployment

The current generation represents the culmination of nearly a decade of R&D. Key improvements include the 8-hour battery life, enhanced manipulation with force-sensing arms, the complete Agility Arc fleet management platform, and the reliability needed for commercial deployment at paying customer sites. The Spanx deployment in Georgia marked the transition from pilot to revenue — a milestone that no other humanoid company has achieved.

What's Next: Digit v5 and Beyond

The next generation, expected in late 2025 or early 2026, will bring the payload increase to 50 lb, improved battery life, and enhanced manipulation capabilities. Agility Robotics has also indicated plans for functional safety certification that would enable Digit to work in direct proximity to human workers — a game-changing capability for warehouse operations.

The Warehouse Labor Crisis: Why Digit Matters Now

To understand why Digit represents such a significant opportunity, you need to understand the structural labor challenges facing the logistics industry:

The Numbers Tell the Story

  • Warehouse worker turnover: The warehousing and transportation sector consistently experiences some of the highest quit rates across all industries. Post-COVID disruptions accelerated this trend, and while quit rates have normalized somewhat, the underlying instability remains.
  • Physical toll: Warehouse work is physically demanding. Repetitive lifting, bending, and carrying leads to high injury rates and contributes to the difficulty of retaining workers long-term.
  • Rising labor costs: Fully loaded warehouse labor costs have risen to $30+/hour in many markets when you factor in wages, benefits, insurance, training, and turnover costs.
  • E-commerce growth: Online retail continues to grow, driving demand for warehouse and fulfillment capacity that outpaces available labor supply.
  • Demographic shifts: An aging workforce in many developed countries means fewer workers available for physically demanding roles.

Why Traditional Automation Falls Short

Conventional warehouse automation — conveyor systems, robotic arms, and AMRs — has been tremendously successful in structured environments. But significant gaps remain:

  • Conveyor systems require fixed infrastructure and can't adapt to layout changes
  • Robotic arms are stationary and limited to their reach envelope
  • AMRs can move goods horizontally but can't manipulate objects or navigate stairs
  • None of the above can handle the "last meter" problem of picking up items and placing them precisely

Humanoid robots like Digit bridge these gaps by combining mobility (walking through human-designed spaces) with manipulation (picking up and placing objects) — all without requiring facility modifications. This is why the humanoid robot market is projected to grow at a 39.2% CAGR through 2030.

Deployment Considerations: What You Need to Know Before Adopting Digit

If you're seriously evaluating Digit for your operation, here are the practical considerations that go beyond the spec sheet:

Facility Requirements

  • Floor surfaces: Digit performs best on flat, hard surfaces typical of warehouse environments. While it can handle minor variations, significantly uneven or slippery floors may impact performance.
  • Aisle width: Digit's compact form factor allows it to operate in standard warehouse aisles (typically 8–12 feet wide).
  • Charging infrastructure: You'll need designated charging stations. With the current 2:1 ratio, plan for roughly one charging station per two operating units.
  • Network connectivity: Agility Arc requires reliable network connectivity (Wi-Fi or cellular) for cloud-based fleet management and monitoring.
  • Safety zones: Until functional safety certification is achieved, Digit requires segregated work zones separate from human workers.

Integration with Existing Systems

One of Digit's practical advantages is its ability to integrate with existing warehouse infrastructure. The Spanx deployment demonstrated seamless coordination with 6 River Systems AMRs — Digit doesn't require you to rip out your current automation; it augments it. Agility Arc provides integration APIs for connecting with warehouse management systems (WMS), allowing Digit to receive tasks and report status through your existing operational software.

Change Management

Deploying humanoid robots is as much a people challenge as a technology challenge. Successful deployments typically involve:

  • Early communication with existing workforce about the robot's role (augmentation, not replacement)
  • Designation of internal champions who manage the robot fleet
  • Clear metrics and success criteria agreed upon before deployment
  • Iterative expansion — start with a small fleet and scale based on results

Agility Arc: The Fleet Management Advantage

One of the most underrated aspects of the Digit ecosystem is Agility Arc — the company's cloud-based fleet orchestration platform. While most humanoid robot companies focus exclusively on the hardware, Agility Robotics has built an end-to-end deployment and management stack that includes:

  • Task orchestration: Centralized assignment and scheduling of tasks across multiple Digit units
  • Real-time monitoring: Dashboard visibility into each robot's status, battery level, task progress, and location
  • Analytics: Performance tracking, throughput reporting, and optimization recommendations
  • OTA updates: Over-the-air software updates that add new capabilities without hardware changes
  • Scalable architecture: Designed to manage fleets from a handful of units to hundreds
  • Integration APIs: Connect with existing warehouse management systems (WMS) and AMR fleets

This software layer is what transforms Digit from a single robot into a scalable automation platform. For warehouse operators evaluating humanoid solutions, the availability of mature fleet management software should weigh heavily in the decision — and Digit currently leads the pack here.

Agility Robotics: Company Background and Credibility

Understanding the company behind the robot matters when you're evaluating a $250,000+ investment.

  • Founded: 2015 as a spinoff from Oregon State University's robotics lab
  • Founders: Jonathan Hurst (Chief Robot Officer, former CMU/OSU professor), Damion Shelton (Chairman), Mikhail Jones (VP Software)
  • CEO: Peggy Johnson (appointed March 2024; former CEO of Magic Leap, former EVP at Microsoft)
  • Funding: $641M+ total (including $400M Series C in 2025), with backing from Amazon, DCVC, and Playground Global
  • Manufacturing: RoboFab facility in Salem, Oregon — purpose-built for humanoid robot production with 10,000+ unit/year capacity
  • Research heritage: 10+ years of locomotion research (ATRIAS → Cassie → Digit evolution)
  • Industry leadership: Pioneering ISO safety standards for humanoid robots

The combination of deep academic pedigree, proven commercial deployments, tier-one investor backing (Amazon), experienced enterprise leadership, and purpose-built manufacturing infrastructure makes Agility Robotics one of the most credible players in the humanoid space. According to MarketsandMarkets, the humanoid robot market is projected to grow from $2.9 billion in 2025 to $15.3 billion by 2030 — a 39.2% CAGR that positions Agility well for massive growth.

Pros and Cons of the Agility Robotics Digit

Pros

  • Only commercially deployed humanoid: Digit is the only humanoid generating revenue from paying customers, proving real-world viability.
  • Best-in-class battery life: Up to 8 hours of operation significantly exceeds most competitors' 2–5 hour range.
  • Mature fleet management: Agility Arc provides enterprise-grade deployment, monitoring, and task orchestration out of the box.
  • Proven self-recovery: Can autonomously stand up after falls — critical for unsupervised operation.
  • Manufacturing scale ready: RoboFab can produce 10,000+ units/year, ensuring supply chain readiness.
  • Strong investor backing: Amazon investment validates the logistics use case.
  • RaaS flexibility: Lease model reduces upfront capital requirements and includes ongoing support.
  • Robust sensor suite: LiDAR + 4× depth cameras + IMU provides comprehensive environmental awareness.
  • Biomechanics-based design: 10+ years of locomotion research = superior walking efficiency and stability.

Cons

  • High unit cost: ~$250,000 purchase price (or significant RaaS commitment) puts Digit out of reach for small businesses.
  • Limited manipulation: 3-DOF arms with custom end effectors lack the dexterity of Figure 02's or Sanctuary AI's multi-finger hands.
  • Narrow task scope (currently): Primarily validated for tote transfer; broader task flexibility is still developing.
  • No human co-working yet: Currently deployed in segregated zones; functional safety certification for human collaboration is 18+ months away.
  • 2:1 charging ratio: Needing one Digit charging for every two operating means fleet sizing must account for ~33% overhead.
  • Limited public performance data: Exact throughput and reliability metrics aren't publicly available.
  • Headless design: While functional, the lack of a "face" limits social interaction potential for customer-facing roles.

Who Should Buy (or Lease) the Agility Robotics Digit?

Ideal Use Cases

  • Large distribution centers: Companies processing high volumes of totes and packages across shifts, especially those struggling with labor shortages or high turnover.
  • E-commerce fulfillment: Facilities handling diverse SKUs that need flexible automation beyond fixed conveyor systems.
  • 3PL providers: Third-party logistics companies that need scalable labor solutions across multiple clients and seasonal demand spikes.
  • Automotive and manufacturing: Material handling and kitting operations where bipedal mobility offers advantages over wheeled AMRs.
  • Multi-level facilities: Warehouses with stairs, ramps, or uneven surfaces where wheeled robots can't operate.

Not Ideal For

  • Small businesses: The investment level requires significant throughput to justify ROI.
  • Fine assembly tasks: The current gripper system lacks the dexterity needed for intricate manipulation.
  • Customer-facing roles: Digit's industrial design isn't suited for hospitality, retail, or healthcare settings.
  • Outdoor environments: Digit is designed for indoor warehouse/factory environments.
  • Research institutions on a budget: Academic labs would find better value in platforms like Unitree H1 or 1X NEO.

Investment and Market Position

Evaluating Digit also means evaluating Agility Robotics as a company — its financial stability, market position, and long-term viability matter when you're committing to a multi-year automation partnership.

Funding and Financial Backing

Agility Robotics has raised over $150 million in venture funding, with its Series B round in early 2022 attracting investment from DCVC, Playground Global, and notably Amazon. Amazon's investment is particularly significant because it represents validation from the world's largest logistics operator — a company that processes billions of packages annually and has invested heavily in warehouse automation.

The company closed a $400M Series C round in 2025, funding operations through the 10,000-unit production milestone. This suggests Agility has a clear financial runway and growth plan, reducing the risk of technology abandonment that can plague early-stage robotics companies.

Leadership Depth

The 2023–2024 leadership expansion brought in experienced executives from across the technology and robotics industries. CEO Peggy Johnson's background as CEO of Magic Leap and EVP at Microsoft brings enterprise sales and partnership expertise that's critical for scaling a hardware-as-a-service business. Chief Product Officer Melonee Wise brings deep experience in commercializing robotic systems. This leadership team combines the academic robotics pedigree of the founders with the commercial execution expertise needed to scale.

Market Timing

Agility Robotics benefits from being early but not too early. The humanoid robot market is reaching an inflection point where:

  • AI capabilities (computer vision, reinforcement learning, LLM integration) have matured enough for practical deployment
  • Component costs (batteries, sensors, actuators) have declined significantly
  • Labor market conditions create genuine pull from customers
  • Investor enthusiasm provides ample capital for R&D and scaling

Being the first to deploy commercially means Agility is building operational expertise and collecting real-world data that competitors simply don't have — a compounding advantage that's difficult to replicate even with greater funding.

Safety and Compliance: The Path to Human Collaboration

Safety is arguably the most critical factor determining how quickly humanoid robots can scale in commercial environments. Agility Robotics is taking a leadership role in this area.

Current Safety Approach

Today, Digit operates in segregated zones without human co-workers. This approach eliminates the risk of human-robot collisions but limits deployment flexibility. The segregated model works well for dedicated automation cells (like the tote-transfer station at Spanx) but can't scale to applications where robots need to share space with workers.

ISO Standards Leadership

Agility Robotics is actively pioneering ISO safety standards for humanoid robots — a relatively new area since existing industrial robot safety standards (ISO 10218, ISO/TS 15066) were designed for stationary robotic arms, not mobile humanoid platforms. The company is working with standards bodies to define requirements for:

  • Force and speed limiting for collaborative operation
  • Proximity detection and automatic slow-down/stop behaviors
  • Emergency stop and fault-handling procedures
  • Risk assessment frameworks specific to bipedal mobile robots

Timeline to Human Collaboration

CEO Peggy Johnson has indicated that Digit could "interoperate near humans" within approximately 18 months from late 2024 — placing the target in mid-to-late 2026. Achieving functional safety certification would be a transformative milestone, dramatically expanding the range of tasks and environments where Digit can be deployed.

The Future Roadmap: What's Coming for Digit

Agility Robotics has outlined several near-term improvements for Digit:

  • Payload increase to 50 lb (22.6 kg): A 43% improvement that opens up heavier-duty material handling tasks.
  • Improved battery life: Targeting 4:1 and eventually 10:1 operating-to-charging ratios, which dramatically improves fleet economics.
  • Functional safety certification: Expected within 18 months, enabling Digit to work alongside (not just near) human workers.
  • Expanded task library: New manipulation skills delivered via OTA software updates through Agility Arc.
  • Enhanced dexterity: Next-generation end effectors for broader manipulation capabilities.
  • Series C funding: Currently raising to fund scaling to 10,000+ units and multi-year operational runway.

How to Get Started with Digit

Agility Robotics offers a structured onboarding process through their RaaS engagement model:

  1. Discovery: Initial consultation to assess your facility, workflows, and automation goals
  2. Pilot deployment: Small fleet deployment with defined performance milestones
  3. Scaling: Expand fleet size based on pilot results, with flexible contract terms
  4. Peak demand support: Add temporary units during seasonal spikes

Ready to explore humanoid robots for your warehouse or facility? Browse our complete catalog of humanoid robots for sale to compare Digit with alternatives and find the right fit for your operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Agility Robotics Digit cost?

The estimated purchase price for Digit is approximately $250,000 per unit. However, Agility Robotics primarily offers Digit through a Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) leasing model that bundles hardware, software (Agility Arc), maintenance, and support. The company targets an under-2-year ROI compared to a fully loaded human worker at $30/hour.

Is the Agility Robotics Digit available to buy?

Digit is available primarily through Agility Robotics' RaaS (Robots-as-a-Service) program rather than direct purchase. Interested companies can initiate the engagement through Agility's website. The RaaS model includes flexible contract terms, fleet management software, and ongoing support. You can also view Digit's product page on Robozaps for more details.

What tasks can Digit perform?

Digit is currently validated for tote transfer and material handling in warehouse environments — picking up totes from AMRs and placing them on conveyors. Its capabilities are expanding to include broader material movement tasks, and Agility Robotics plans to deliver new skills via over-the-air software updates. Future capabilities may include trailer loading/unloading and more complex pick-and-place operations.

How long does Digit's battery last?

Digit's battery lasts up to 8 hours depending on task intensity, which is industry-leading among humanoid robots. Agility Robotics currently operates at a 2:1 ratio (2 units working, 1 charging), with plans to improve to 4:1 and eventually 10:1 as battery technology advances.

Can Digit work alongside humans?

Not yet. Digit currently operates in segregated zones without human co-workers present. Agility Robotics is pursuing ISO functional safety certification and expects Digit to be cleared for human collaboration within approximately 18 months (estimated mid-to-late 2026). The company is pioneering safety standards for humanoid robots.

How does Digit compare to Tesla Optimus?

Digit is commercially deployed and generating revenue; Tesla Optimus remains in internal testing. Digit has superior battery life (8 hrs vs. ~5 hrs est.) and proven logistics capabilities. However, Tesla targets a dramatically lower price point ($20,000–$30,000) and has unmatched manufacturing scale. For a full breakdown, see our Tesla Optimus vs. Digit comparison.

What sensors does Digit use?

Digit features a comprehensive sensor suite including onboard LiDAR for 3D mapping, four Intel RealSense depth cameras for spatial awareness, RGB cameras for visual perception, a MEMS IMU and gyroscope for balance, and force sensors in each arm for compliant manipulation. This combination enables autonomous navigation without external infrastructure.

Where is Digit manufactured?

Digit is manufactured at RoboFab, Agility Robotics' purpose-built factory in Salem, Oregon. The facility has a production capacity of over 10,000 units per year, making it one of the world's first dedicated humanoid robot factories.

What is Agility Arc?

Agility Arc is Agility Robotics' cloud-based fleet management platform. It handles task orchestration, real-time monitoring, performance analytics, over-the-air software updates, and integration with existing warehouse management systems. Arc is included with every Digit RaaS deployment and is essential for managing multi-robot fleets.

Can Digit recover from falls?

Yes. Digit can autonomously return to a standing position after falling, which is a critical capability for robots operating without constant human supervision. This self-recovery feature, enabled by its reverse-jointed leg design, significantly reduces downtime and the need for human intervention.

Digit vs. Traditional Warehouse Automation: When Humanoids Make Sense

Not every warehouse needs a humanoid robot. Understanding when Digit makes sense versus conventional automation helps ensure you're investing in the right solution.

Scenario Best Solution Why
High-volume, fixed-path material flowConveyor systemsLower cost per unit moved, no battery constraints
Horizontal goods transport on flat floorsAMRs (e.g., 6 River, Locus)Proven, affordable, high uptime
Tote/package transfer between systemsDigitBridges the gap between AMRs and conveyors; handles the "last meter"
Multi-level facilities with stairsDigitOnly option that can traverse stairs while carrying payloads
Variable layouts that change seasonallyDigitNo fixed infrastructure required; adapts to layout changes via software
Fine assembly or precision manipulationRobotic arms or Figure 02Digit's grippers lack the fine motor control needed
Ultra-high-speed pickingGoods-to-person systemsSpecialized picking robots achieve higher throughput for this specific task
Augmenting existing AMR fleetsDigitProven integration with AMR systems (demonstrated at Spanx with 6RS Chuck)

The sweet spot for Digit is clear: dynamic material handling tasks that require both mobility and manipulation in environments designed for humans. If your automation gap involves moving things between systems, across varying layouts, or through spaces that wheeled robots can't navigate, Digit is purpose-built for exactly that challenge.

Final Verdict: Is the Agility Robotics Digit Worth It?

The Agility Robotics Digit occupies a unique position in the humanoid robot market: it's the only one that's actually working. While competitors showcase impressive demos and make bold promises, Digit is deployed at paying customer sites, handling real totes, and generating real revenue. That commercial maturity — combined with best-in-class battery life, a proven biomechanics-based design, and the Agility Arc fleet management platform — makes Digit the safest bet for enterprises looking to deploy humanoid automation today.

The caveats are real: it's expensive, manipulation is limited, and the task scope is still narrow. But for large distribution centers and logistics operations battling chronic labor shortages and rising costs, Digit offers a credible path to ROI within 2 years — and a platform that will only improve through software updates and hardware revisions.

Our rating: 8.5/10 — The definitive leader in commercial humanoid deployment, with room to grow in dexterity and task flexibility.

Considering a humanoid robot for your business? Explore all available humanoid robots at Robozaps or check out our complete guide to the best humanoid robots in 2026 to find the right platform for your needs.

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