Yesterday, Amazon announced that Agility Robotics is one of the five initial startups benefitting from the company’s $1 billion innovation fund. If I had to guess, I’d say that meant the retail giant was eyeing the Oregon State University spinoff as a potential addition to its warehouse robotics arsenal.
Agility’s Go-to-Market Strategy
After all, logistics has become an increasingly important piece of Agility’s go-to-market strategy for its bipedal Digit robot, while Amazon’s hundreds of thousands of robots are a big part of how it manages to turn around package deliveries so quickly.
The New Investment
This morning, however, the company raised a massive $150 million Series B, including funds from the aforementioned Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund. This time out, however, it was DCVC and Playground Global leading the way for the investment.
"’Agility is set to make a powerful impact, developing and shipping robots that are built to co-exist seamlessly in our lives,’ Playgound’s Bruce Leak said in a release. ‘Since Agility’s earliest days, we’ve believed their unique technical approach stands alone in being able to deliver on the promise of practical everyday robots.’"
Agility’s History
Born out of bipedal locomotion work on a research robot named Cassie, Agility has continued to impress investors along the way, including names like the Sony Innovation Fund. Ford also famously announced plans to utilize Digit as part of a last-mile delivery strategy, though Agility’s more recent focus has shifted to unpacking trucks and moving boxes around warehouses — a need that has only accelerated during the pandemic.
"Unprecedented consumer and corporate demand have created an extraordinary need for robots to support people in the workplace,’ says CEO Damion Shelton. ‘With this investment, Agility can ramp up the delivery of robots to fill roles where there’s an unmet need.’"
The Funding
The round brings Agility’s funding to $180 million to date. That includes a $20.25 million Series A and an $8 million seed two years prior. This is, of course, the large round by a wide margin.
In recent conversations I had with Leak and Agility CTO Jonathan Hurst, both parties pointed out how much the robotics startup has been able to accomplish with a small team and tight margins, delivering Cassie to customers way back in 2018.
The Future of Robotics
This big raise will go toward expanding its operations considerably as it scales to market. In addition to its Oregon and Bay Area offices, it has opened operations in Pittsburgh — no doubt with plans to draw on CMU and the city’s history in robotics and autonomy. All told, Agility is planning to double its headcount by 2024.
Agility Robotics: The Future of Warehouse Automation
With this investment, Agility will be able to focus on scaling up its operations to meet the increasing demand for warehouse automation solutions. As more companies look to automate their supply chains and logistics, Agility’s technology is poised to play a key role in shaping the future of retail.
The Role of AI in Warehouse Automation
As we move forward with warehouse automation, AI will play an increasingly important role in optimizing logistics and streamlining operations. With its focus on developing practical everyday robots, Agility is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend.
A Conversation with Agility’s CEO
In a recent conversation with TechCrunch, Agility’s CEO Damion Shelton emphasized the importance of meeting the needs of customers in the workplace. "We’re not just building robots," he said. "We’re building solutions that can help companies streamline their operations and improve productivity."
The Impact of Warehouse Automation on the Job Market
As we move forward with warehouse automation, there is a growing concern about the impact it may have on the job market. However, Agility’s CEO believes that automation will actually create new opportunities for workers in logistics and supply chain management.
"Automation will free up human workers from repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on more complex and strategic work," Shelton said. "We’re not replacing people; we’re augmenting their abilities with technology."
The Future of Warehouse Automation: Trends to Watch
As we move forward with warehouse automation, there are several trends that will shape the industry in the coming years. Some of these include:
- Increased focus on AI and machine learning: As companies look to optimize their logistics operations, they will need to leverage AI and machine learning to streamline processes and improve efficiency.
- Growing demand for flexible and adaptable robots: With the increasing complexity of supply chains, companies will need robots that can adapt to changing circumstances and requirements.
- Rise of collaborative robotics: Collaborative robotics is an emerging trend in warehouse automation, where robots work alongside human workers to optimize operations.
Conclusion
Agility Robotics’ $150 million Series B funding round is a significant milestone for the company as it continues to shape the future of warehouse automation. With its focus on practical everyday robots and AI-driven logistics solutions, Agility is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for warehouse automation technologies.
As we move forward with warehouse automation, there are several trends that will shape the industry in the coming years. From increased focus on AI and machine learning to growing demand for flexible and adaptable robots, these trends will have a significant impact on the job market and supply chain management.
