Agility, the company originating from Oregon State University and known for developing the robots Digit and Cassie, has revealed it secured $20 million in a new investment round. This recent funding, spearheaded by DCVC and Playground Global, increases the company's overall funding to $29 million. Additional investors participating in this round are TDK Ventures, MFV Partners, the Industrial Technology Investment Corporation, Sony Innovation Fund, and Safar Partners.

Agility’s robotic creations are considered among the most advanced currently available. The initial Cassie robot, modeled after an ostrich, particularly impressed the robotics field with its fluid, two-legged movement.

Digit, unveiled last year, represents a further advancement, utilizing the foundation of the Cassie design to produce a robot designed for package delivery. This robot is capable of maneuvering on stairs and challenging surfaces that would pose difficulties for conventional wheeled robots. The capabilities of this technology notably attracted the attention of Ford, which announced it would be Digit’s inaugural client, intending to integrate the robot with its autonomous vehicles for delivery services.

Agility intends to utilize this new funding to increase the production and distribution of its robots for a diverse range of uses. According to co-founder Jonathan Hurst, in a statement accompanying the funding announcement, “This additional capital will allow the company to fulfill the growing need from logistics companies, online retailers, and other businesses for robots that can collaborate with people to automate tasks that are repetitive, physically strenuous, or hazardous.” He further stated, “We anticipate accelerating the advancement and implementation of humanoid robots across various sectors to automate jobs that require human-centric environments.”

Similar to other companies in the robotics sector, Agility is likely experiencing growth due to heightened interest resulting from the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Numerous delivery and logistics companies are actively seeking additional methods to automate their operations. Currently, Digit has a substantial price point of $250,000, however, increased production volume is expected to lower the cost in the future.