Schaeffler plans to deploy humanoid robots in plants around the world
14 November 2024 
The German mechatronics giant Schaeffler has announced plans to deploy Digit humanoid robots from the US developer Agility Robotics across its global network of manufacturing plants. Schaeffler is also making a minority investment in Agility.
“In disruptive times, implementing innovative manufacturing solutions is crucial to be successful. Here, humanoids play an important role,” says Schaeffler chief operating officer, Andreas Schick. “We, at Schaeffler, will integrate this technology into our operations and see the potential to deploy a significant number of humanoids in our global network of 100 plants by 2030. We look forward to the collaboration with Agility Robotics which will accelerate our activities in this field.”
Earlier this year, Agility claimed to be the first company to deploy humanoid robots commercially after signing a multi-year agreement with GXO, the world’s largest contract logistics provider, to use Digit in its logistics operations. That agreement also marked the industry’s first Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) deployment of humanoid robots.
Agility describes Digit as “a bipedal mobile manipulation robot”. The 1.75m-tall machine can carry loads of up to 15.9kg.
“We are excited to welcome Schaeffler as a customer and investor, and look forward to delivering value in their operations with Digit,” says the company’s CEO, Peggy Johnson. “While our technology is helping companies like Schaeffler transform their manufacturing, logistics, and warehousing businesses, scaling the use of humanoid robots will require them to work cooperatively with humans and outside of the safety cages they are in today.
“I am confident that in the next 24 months, Agility will be the first company to deliver a safe humanoid robot that will be able to work alongside people.”
