Digit, a laundry-sorting robot created by Agility Robotics, took center stage at the Web Summit in Lisbon, showcasing the advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). The humanoid robot demonstrated its ability to respond to voice commands and sort colored T-shirts into baskets, captivating the audience. However, the demonstration also sparked discussions about the potential impact of AI on job security.
With AI capable of executing entry-level tasks, concerns were raised about job displacement across various sectors, including law, finance, and technology. Sarah Franklin, CEO of Lattice, emphasized the need for education to keep pace with AI innovations to prevent a narrowing of the workforce base. “AI can make this more of a diamond shape, where entry levels are harder to get,” she said.
The environmental impact of AI was another pressing issue, particularly due to the significant energy required to train and operate AI models. Sarah Myers West from the AI Now Institute warned about the competition for energy resources between tech firms and local communities, with datacenters increasing demand. In the creative sector, opinions were divided on AI’s potential effects.
Steven Knight, creator of “Peaky Blinders,” argued that while AI could assist in generating ideas, it lacked the unique human ability to create the unexpected. Marco Bassetti, CEO of TV production group Banijay, echoed this sentiment, noting that AI could facilitate creativity but could not replace the human touch. Amidst the buzz, there were discussions about the future trajectory of AI development.
Some experts suggested that the race for increasingly powerful AI might decelerate due to underperforming initial tests of new models. However, AI’s recent advancements have already fueled the emergence of startups like Healx, which uses AI for biotech research, and Luminance, which provides AI-driven legal services. Kanu Gulati, a partner at Khosla Ventures, expressed optimism about new business models taking advantage of existing AI models, driving innovation and offering return on investment for firms involved in AI development.
The discussions at Web Summit underscored a pivotal moment for AI, with numerous opportunities and significant challenges ahead as the technology continues to evolve and integrate into various aspects of daily life and industry.
Robot sparks AI debate
Digit, by Agility Robotics, stands out as the only autonomous humanoid robot actively working in warehouses.
CEO Peggy Johnson stated at Web Summit in Lisbon, Portugal, “We are the only humanoid out there right now taking actual work.”
Despite fierce competition in the field of robotics, Digit’s unique features, such as its backward-facing legs and flat, spatulate grippers, enable it to access shelves and loads efficiently while maintaining balance. The current working model pays for itself in two years and charges autonomously, with future models expected to improve the work-to-charge ratio dramatically. Agility Robotics has announced a minority investment, partnership, and new customer relationship with the German mobility manufacturer Schaeffler AG.
Andreas Schick, COO of Schaeffler AG, stated, “We see the potential to deploy a significant number of humanoids in our global network of 100 plants by 2030.”
Digit’s design simplicity and adaptability set it apart from other humanoid robots. In an unstructured task of sorting trash and recyclables, Digit successfully identified bubble wrap as non-recyclable, outperforming human assumptions. Agility Robotics plans for Digit to work alongside people safely and perform non-specific and unprogrammed actions.
CEO Peggy Johnson envisions a future where different robots are used for different tasks, with human workers becoming “digital workers” and taking on roles like “Fleet Manager, Robots.”
As autonomous humanoid robots like Digit enter the workforce on a larger scale, discussions around Universal Basic Income may become increasingly relevant to address potential displacement of human workers. Agility Robotics continues to innovate, aiming to demonstrate “cooperative safety” in their robots, ensuring they can safely interact with human co-workers in shared physical spaces. Agility Robotics has announced a new strategic partnership with Schaeffler AG, a global leader in motion technology.
Schaeffler is making a minority investment into Agility and acquiring Digit humanoid robots for use across its international plant network. Andreas Schick, chief operating officer of Schaeffler, said, “In disruptive times, implementing innovative manufacturing solutions is crucial to be successful. Here, humanoids play an important role.
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.”
Agility Robotics gained attention earlier in 2024 for showcasing Digit’s ability to perform real-world work in pilot programs, such as at a Spanx facility in Georgia, where the Digit humanoids pick up totes from 6 River Systems’ Chuck autonomous mobile robots and place them onto conveyors. Peggy Johnson, CEO of Agility Robotics, expressed excitement about the partnership with Schaeffler and stated, “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.”
Currently, there are no established standards for humanoids, although various efforts are underway to explore a path forward for relevant standards. A recent survey aims to better understand how human-robot interaction might affect the development of these standards.
Johannah Lopez is a versatile professional who seamlessly navigates two worlds. By day, she excels as a SaaS freelance writer, crafting informative and persuasive content for tech companies. By night, she showcases her vibrant personality and customer service skills as a part-time bartender. Johannah's ability to blend her writing expertise with her social finesse makes her a well-rounded and engaging storyteller in any setting.
