Key applications for further exploration are indoor or first-mile logistics and last-50-feet delivery. The research also will focus on how
The team expects that, as Digit will be part of a package delivery service, this communication channel will also provide delivery specific information such as where a customer prefers packages to be left, or other individual package delivery needs. This communication channel also allows Digit to ask for help if something unexpected is encountered.
'As online retailing continues growing, we believe robots will help our commercial customers build stronger businesses by making deliveries more efficient and affordable for all of us.' said
Since the first Digit prototype was shown in May, Agility Robotics has tested it extensively, refined the design, and added features to be ready for production and sale to customers. Upgrades and improvements include more advanced feet that allow Digit to balance on one foot or carefully navigate obstacles, new sensors to perceive and map the world for robot navigation, and customer-ready, powerful onboard computer hardware. 'We're excited about the technical capabilities and advanced legged mobility of Digit', said Dr.
Agility sold its breakthrough robot Cassie as a bipedal research platform from
Digit has been designed to walk upright without wasting energy, so it has no issue traversing the same types of environments most people do every day. Digit's unique design also allows it to tightly fold itself up for easy storage in the back of a vehicle until it's called into action. Once a vehicle arrives at its destination, Digit can be deployed to grab a package from the vehicle and carry out the final step in the delivery process. If it encounters an unexpected obstacle, it can send an image back to the vehicle to leverage additional computing power. The vehicle could even send that information into the cloud and request help from other systems to enable Digit to navigate, providing multiple levels of assistance that help keep the robot light and nimble. Digit's light weight also helps ensure it has a long run time, which is essential for delivery businesses that operate continuously through the business day.
Two pre-production Digit prototypes will be on display at CES 2020 in
About
About
Founded in 2015, Agility Robotics manufactures highly capable legged robots for diverse markets such as last-mile logistics, telepresence, automated inspection, entertainment, and academic research. By supplying legged machines that can go anywhere a person can go, Agility provides developers with a dramatic new mobility option to automate applications never before thought possible.
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