First-Ever Humanoid Robot Manufacturing Plant Under Construction in Oregon

In Salem, Oregon, Agility Robotics is in the process of constructing the world’s inaugural humanoid robot manufacturing facility, known as RoboFab. This factory will be the birthplace of the versatile and human-oriented robot named “Digit” and will boast the capacity to churn out more than 10,000 robots annually.

The initial phase of building Agility’s 70,000-square-foot robot factory commenced last year and is on track to open later this year.

When fully operational, RoboFab will employ over 500 individuals in Salem, in addition to the existing workforce at Agility’s other facilities. Digit will play a role within the new factory, much like it does at Agility’s customer sites, performing tasks such as moving, loading, and unloading totes.

Aindrea Campbell, COO of Agility Robotics, stated, “By establishing RoboFab as a state-of-the-art manufacturing hub in Salem, Oregon, we are not only accelerating the development and deployment of advanced robotic systems but also cultivating innovation and creating high-skilled job opportunities.”

Digit is meticulously engineered to operate safely in human-centric environments, aligning with human movements and workflows. This design makes Digit a versatile utility for a variety of tasks, particularly in bulk material handling within warehouses and distribution centers.

With the inauguration of this new manufacturing facility, participants in the Agility Partner Program (APP) can anticipate receiving their first Digits in 2024, with general availability to the broader market slated for 2025.

Damion Shelton, the co-founder and CEO of Agility Robotics, exclaimed, “The opening of our factory marks a pivotal moment in the history of robotics: the beginning of the mass production of commercial humanoid robots.” He emphasized that Digit was conceived to address contemporary workforce challenges, such as injuries, burnout, high turnover, and labor shortages, with the ultimate goal of enhancing human lives.

Shelton further stated, “When you’re building new technology to make society better, the most important milestone is when you’re able to mass produce that technology at a scale where it can have a real, widespread impact.”

Aindrea Campbell, COO of Agility Robotics, spearheads the scaling of Agility’s manufacturing and corporate operations to meet the surging commercial demand for Digit, which includes overseeing the launch of the new factory. With over two decades of experience as a senior operations leader at prominent companies like Ford and Apple, Campbell brings a wealth of expertise.

She noted, “Not only are we building the world’s first factory for humanoid robots, but we’re doing so in the United States, situated approximately 30 miles from our engineering center, which is fantastic for setting us up to scale quickly.”