Robot Digit 5 Built for Safe Warehouse Work in 2027

A humanoid robot is about to make warehouse work safer and easier, and it was designed by listening to the people who actually do the job every day.

Agility Robotics just revealed Digit 5, the latest version of its walking, lifting robot. After three years of watching earlier versions work in real warehouses, the company rebuilt Digit from the ground up based on what workers and managers said they needed.

The changes are dramatic. Digit 5 can now work for 90 minutes and fully recharge in just nine, giving it a work schedule of over 20 hours a day. Its new human-like legs can repeatedly lift 50-pound loads, covering the heavy lifting that regulations say shouldn't fall to a single person.

Chief Robot Officer Jonathan Hurst says the breakthrough came from watching real deployments. "We actually started to learn what the blockers are," Hurst explains. The team discovered that doing the task wasn't enough. They needed to understand aisle widths, charging station locations, and hundreds of other practical details that only emerge when robots work alongside people.

The robot already has serious momentum. Agility has secured over $300 million in multi-year orders from companies in manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics. Digit 5 will handle everything from unloading shipments to preparing them for delivery, covering a facility's full workflow.

Safety drove the design. Digit 5 meets strict industrial standards so it can work next to people without barriers. It even has padded knees and can squat into stable positions, making it safer in shared spaces.

The Ripple Effect

This isn't just about one company's robot. Digit is one of the only humanoid robots currently working in real industrial settings, learning lessons that will shape how automation helps rather than replaces workers. By taking on the heaviest, most repetitive lifting tasks, Digit could prevent workplace injuries while keeping humans focused on decision-making and skilled work.

Early access begins in mid-2027, with full availability by year's end. For the first time, Digit will work outside North America, heading to Europe with proper safety certifications. The robot that learned by doing is ready to scale up, one warehouse at a time.