Humanoid Robots Aim to Solve Manufacturing Labor Shortages
Backflipping robots may grab headlines, but Agility Robotics and others are focused on a more practical application for humanoid bots: addressing the growing labor gap within manufacturing plants. As the workforce ages and repetitive tasks struggle to attract workers, companies are increasingly turning to automation, specifically humanoid robots, to fill the void.
The Rising Labor Gap in Manufacturing
Agility Robotics has already deployed its Digit robots at major companies like Amazon, Schaeffler Group and GXO, a logistics company. In February 2026, Toyota announced the deployment of several Digit robots at its Canadian manufacturing plant, signaling a broader industry trend.
Daniel Diez, Agility’s chief business officer, notes a consistent issue across global manufacturing hubs – a lack of individuals willing to perform mundane, repetitive jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of December 2025, there were over 400,000 job openings in the US manufacturing sector. A 2024 survey by The Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte highlighted talent retention as a major concern for manufacturers.
Demographic Shifts and Reshoring Fuel Demand
The labor gap is compounded by demographic trends. Over 25% of the manufacturing workforce is aged 55 or older, approaching retirement. Initiatives to bring manufacturing back to the US – a trend supported by previous administrations – are expected to create even more jobs and increase the demand for automation. Diez emphasizes that reshoring will require a combination of human employment and automation technologies like robotics.
Automakers Invest in Humanoid Robotics
Several automakers are actively investing in humanoid robots. Tesla, Volkswagen, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, and Hyundai are all exploring the use of humanoid robots on assembly lines. Boston Dynamics’ Atlas robot is slated for deployment at Hyundai’s Georgia factory in 2028.
Digit: Designed for Existing Factories
While some robots can perform more complex tasks, Agility Robotics pitches the bipedal form factor of Digit as ideal for integrating into existing, or “brownfield,” facilities. This allows manufacturers to automate without significant factory layout changes. Agility Robotics is seeing high demand from industries with repetitive tasks, including warehouse logistics, e-commerce fulfillment, automotive, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
RoboFab: Scaling Humanoid Production
Agility Robotics is producing Digit at scale from its RoboFab facility in Salem, Oregon. The factory has a peak capacity of 10,000 robots annually and utilizes a unique manufacturing system that doesn’t require heavy industrial machinery. The company also has offices in Pittsburgh, PA, and Fremont, CA, focusing on engineering, testing, and AI development.
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