Warehouse robots are here.
- Lucas García
- Jul 11
- 6 min read
Those of us who work in warehouse operations, since the first humanoid robots appeared, instantly imagined them inside a warehouse moving boxes, carrying forklifts, or picking products. This is no longer an illusion and is happening in many companies, which are introducing these innovations due to the immediate need to gain efficiency in the process. Early adoption of these technologies obviously generates considerable costs and investments in the initial stage, but they gain invaluable implementation and execution experience for when this technology becomes much more efficient and cost-effective, becoming pioneers in its use and already having a consolidated competitive advantage.
Before delving into this development, we must be cautious. Implementing automation in logistics or manufacturing processes is not an easy task. It involves not only implementing robots, but also designing the entire process around them, from the initial definition of the workflow to the design, commissioning, operation, and support of the facilities. Financially, it is not a simple calculation of returns. Maintenance, the necessary infrastructure in facilities, security, and services to ensure a sustainable environment for the process are key to this type of implementation. The technical service contract also determines part of the success of the implementation.
The integration of humanoid robots, designed to mimic human form and functionality, into warehouse operations is unstoppable and represents a significant evolution in logistics automation, adaptable to different warehouse sizes and complex tasks.
We analyze the best-known options offered by the market.
Who makes these humanoid robots?
Several companies have emerged as leaders in the manufacture of humanoid robots for logistics environments. We've investigated the information generated by each and attempted to summarize the landscape of this offering, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions.
Agility Robotics:
This company has developed Digit, a humanoid robot specifically designed for logistics tasks. Digit can carry boxes, manipulate objects, and navigate complex environments.
An example of what Digit can do: https://x.com/NVIDIARobotics/status/1903167225554465267?t=RGAqT46igTWMJBc29K_oSQ&s=19
With a height of 175.3 cm, a load capacity of 15 kg, it can be connected to standard Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Warehouse Execution Systems (WES), or Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), because Agility accompanies this product with an operating environment called Agility Arc accessible from a data cloud.
It has a battery life of approximately 3 hours on a full charge, with a charging dock, where Digit recharges autonomously.
Agility Robotics, a company in which Amazon has invested capital as part of its Industrial Innovation Fund, has begun deploying Digit in its fulfillment centers. Currently, getting Digit up and running costs Amazon between $10 and $12 per hour depending on its price and lifespan (approximately 20,000 productive hours), but the company expects that cost to eventually fall to between €2 and €3 per hour as production increases, Agility Robotics CEO Damion Shelton told Bloomberg.
Figure:
Figure has launched Figure 02, a humanoid robot that is already being tested in real-life work environments, including warehouses, in the case of BMW plants.
This product is one of the ones we liked the most, due to its built-in features and software.
It offers a battery life of up to 5 hours, making it suitable for long work shifts. It stands 168 cm tall, can carry up to 20 kg of cargo, and weighs 70 kg. It's ideal for a factory or warehouse.
Here's what you can do: https://youtu.be/gEjXcEU3Bbw
This is the best, it costs 20,000 USD.
As of today, the robot with the most viable business case.
Agibot:
This Chinese company offers its Yuanzheng A2 model, capable of performing a wide range of domestic and industrial tasks. Its specifications indicate a height of 169 cm and a weight of 69 kg. It has a battery life of 2 hours per charge.
It can reach speeds of up to 7 kilometers per hour, can handle loads of 5 kilograms on each arm, and mounts LiDAR sensors, easily replaceable modular parts to adapt the robot to certain scenarios, and a front-facing camera that basically gives the robot vision.
Agibot has announced the mass production of a large number of these robots. The videos shared by Agibot show production processes at a Shanghai factory called Lingang Fengxian. The images show how the robots are assembled, the inventory of parts and components is stored, performance tests are performed, and so are the robots themselves, however, also participating in these tasks alongside human operators.
Agibot has already announced that its Raise A1 will cost less than 200,000 yuan, which is about € 26,300 , but there are no details about its marketing or whether it will eventually be exported outside of China. This is a tentative price for the A2, as no information on current published costs was found.
A sample of the A2: https://youtu.be/5SzMJvFCRk4
Tesla:
With its product, Optimus, a humanoid with versatile functions, it seeks to initially introduce these machines into factories to take on repetitive and dangerous tasks, aiming for greater production efficiency. Its weight capacity is 20 kg.
Optimus will be controlled by the same artificial intelligence system Tesla is developing for the advanced driver assistance system used in its vehicles.
Elon Musk has indicated that his humanoid robot could have an approximate price of $20,000 to $30,000, aiming to make it accessible to a variety of industries.
It is expected to have a battery life of around 8 hours, thanks to Tesla's advanced battery technology.
Unitree:
This Chinese company manufactures humanoids and quadrupeds, and already markets the latter for security operations, rescue patrols, and fires.
His humanoid H1 has a height of 178 cm and 50 kg, and 7 to 21 kg of load.
Powered by an Intel Core i7-1265U processor and advanced artificial intelligence, this robot can recognize objects, people, and gestures. Additionally, its 3D LiDAR system and depth camera allow for 360° perception and real-time mapping of the environment. Its battery life on a single charge averages four hours.
A sample of H1: https://www.unitree.com/mobile/h1
The cost is approximately 90 thousand USD
We analyzed Robocore and Boston Dynamics, but we believe that each of their current offerings, at least today, are not applicable to warehouses, either due to the robot's functionality or its cost. Robocore offers robot solutions for waiters, while Boston, in addition to its high cost (approximately $1 million), is focused on other types of operations.
Critical factors at the time of implementation
Battery life is a critical factor in the efficiency of humanoid robots. For this type of warehouse use, they can last up to four hours, but the acceleration of battery development or charging time impacts operational efficiency and productivity. Current humanoid robot technologies use lithium-ion batteries due to their high energy density and longer lifespan. However, battery life remains limited, with operating times requiring improvements to meet industrial demands.
The maintenance and after-sales services offered by suppliers are essential to ensuring the operability and longevity of humanoid robots. Manufacturers' maintenance plans, per their specification manual, include periodic checkups, software updates, and replacement of worn components and corrective maintenance. Maintenance costs vary, but in general, companies charge between 10% and 20% of the robot's price annually. For example, for a $250,000 robot, the maintenance cost could be $25,000 to $50,000 per year.
The training and support provided, as well as training for staff on the proper operation and handling of robots, ensure efficient integration into warehouse operations. Training, courses, and certifications often carry an additional cost, depending on the manufacturer.
Software updates and continuous application improvements to optimize performance and add new features create long-term dependency.
These factors represent operating costs that must be considered in the contract and must be included in the analysis of the introduction of the Business Case in the calculation of the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) of the implementation project.
Impact on Logistics and Warehouses
The introduction of humanoid robots in warehouses is revolutionizing logistics. These robots can perform repetitive and physically demanding tasks, freeing up operators for more complex and strategic tasks. Furthermore, their ability to navigate dynamic environments and precisely manipulate objects makes them ideal for inventory management and order picking. Those who operate manufacturing or warehouse processes are obliged to keep this in mind and consider these options. This technology has advanced exponentially in recent years due to chip technology (Nvidia uses the majority) and advances in lithium battery life. Very soon, we will have versions with much greater work capacity and the ability to perform more complex tasks. We hope, with this brief article, to spark interest and bring relevance to a trend that will soon cease to be one.
Lucas R.Garcia for SCTank.net
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