Ford Gets Creepy Terminator-Like Walking Robots As Delivery Helpers

Ford has received the first two Digit robots from Agility Robotics, which are designed to work with humans and in human spaces, for applications like indoor or first-mile logistics and last 50-feet deliveries.

The Digit robots continue the existing partnership between Ford and Agility Robotics, which explores ways to help commercial vehicle customers make warehousing and delivery more efficient and affordable for their customers.

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The partnership will also focus on how Ford’s commercial vehicles and the Digit robot communicate with each other and their surroundings via advanced connectivity technologies. For example, Ford’s connected vehicles can share their cloud-based maps with the Digit so it doesn’t have to have that information on its own.

The Digit robot is expected to become part of a package delivery service, knowing specific information like where a customer prefers packages to be left, or any other individual delivery needs. The communication channel with the vehicle also allows it to ask for help if something unexpected is encountered.

“As online retailing continues growing, we believe robots will help our commercial customers build stronger businesses by making deliveries more efficient and affordable for all of us.” said Ken Washington, vice president, Ford Research and Advanced Engineering, and Chief Technology Officer. “We learned a lot this year working with Agility, now we can accelerate our exploratory work with commercial Digit robots.”

The new Digit robot has been designed to walk upright and traverse the same types of environments most people do every day. Since the first prototype was shown last May, the new Digit features many upgrades, including more advanced feet that allows the robot to balance on one foot or carefully navigate obstacles and new sensors to perceive and map the world around it.

“We’re excited about the technical capabilities and advanced legged mobility of Digit”, said Dr. Jonathan Hurst, CTO of Agility. “Videos can show a solid proof of concept – but this robot is ready to go out in the world in the hands of customers, and start to really explore pragmatic use cases.”