These robots are coming for the jobs no one wants — and could fill workforce gaps

These robots are coming for the jobs no one wants — and could fill workforce gaps

Agility Robotics' Digit operates inside a GXO facility.Courtesy Agility RoboticsAgility Robotics is deploying humanoid robots at Toyota's Canada manufacturing plant.The company says its robot, Digit, will take on jobs involving highly repetitive tasks.Agility's chief business officer, Daniel Diez, said companies see labor gaps in these positions.Backflipping robots make for splashy demos and viral videos, but Agility Robotics sees humanoid bots …

'Fertile ground': How an OSU professor built one of Oregon's most valuable startups

Jonathan Hurst is the co-founder and chief robot officer of Agility Robotics, a startup that began at Oregon State University and makes humanoid robots with artificial intelligence. The company, whose flagship robot, “Digit,” is already in experimental use in everything from Amazon warehouses to Toyota manufacturing plants, is one of the best funded startups in the history of the state. Hurst, 46, is also professor of robotics at OSU. He joined…