GXO expands humanoid robot deployment across US logistics operations

GXO Logistics and Agility Robotics have announced an expansion of their partnership to deploy humanoid robots at additional logistics facilities in the United States, marking a further step towards the wider commercial application of robotics in warehouse operations.

Under the expanded agreement, Agility Robotics’ Digit humanoid robots will be introduced at GXO facilities in Statesville, North Carolina, and Lebanon, Tennessee. Deployments are expected to begin in early 2027, supporting e-commerce fulfilment operations through repetitive material-handling tasks.

The expansion builds on a commercial partnership established in 2024, when GXO became the first company to deploy Digit humanoid robots in live warehouse operations under a Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) agreement.

According to the companies, the existing deployment has demonstrated the ability of humanoid robots to perform repetitive warehouse tasks alongside established automation systems.

From initial deployment to multiple logistics facilities

GXO and Agility Robotics began collaborating in late 2023 through a proof-of-concept programme at GXO’s Flowery Branch facility in Georgia. The companies subsequently signed a multi-year commercial agreement in June 2024, introducing Digit robots and Agility Arc, a cloud-based platform designed to manage robotic fleets and integrate them into customer operations.

At the Georgia facility, Digit robots have been used to move totes and place them onto conveyor systems as part of everyday warehouse activities.

The companies reported that Digit has moved more than 100,000 totes at the facility since its initial commercial deployment, providing operational experience that has informed the next phase of the partnership.

The planned expansion to North Carolina and Tennessee will initially use the Digit 4 model. The deployments are expected to transition to Digit 5 once the next-generation humanoid robot becomes commercially available.

Patrick Kelleher, CEO of GXO, said the partnership has focused on translating emerging technology into practical operational improvements for customers and employees.

He described the expansion as a reflection of GXO’s confidence in humanoid robotics and their potential to deliver measurable value within logistics operations.

Peggy Johnson, CEO of Agility Robotics, said the decision to expand into additional facilities demonstrates the progression of humanoid robotics from initial commercial applications towards broader deployment.

Agility prepares next generation of humanoid robots

The expansion comes as Agility Robotics continues developing its technology and infrastructure to support wider commercial adoption.

Across its commercial operations and customer programmes, the company’s Digit robots have accumulated more than 65,000 hours of real-world operation. This figure covers Agility’s broader activities and is not limited to the GXO partnership.

The operational experience has contributed to the development of Digit 5, which Agility unveiled on September 15, 2026. The next-generation robot is designed to work safely in close proximity to people and support a wider range of industrial workflows.

To prepare for larger-scale deployment, Agility has invested in manufacturing, software and support infrastructure. This includes RoboFab, its 70,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Salem, Oregon, designed for an annual production capacity of up to 10,000 robots.

The company has also expanded its software, deployment and service capabilities, including through Agility Arc and its recently announced expansion in Pittsburgh.

Separately, Agility is preparing to become a publicly traded company through a proposed business combination with Churchill Capital Corp XI. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, after which the combined company is expected to trade on Nasdaq under the ticker AGLT.

Humanoid automation enters a new phase in logistics

The latest agreement extends the application of humanoid robotics beyond a single GXO facility, with the companies seeking to demonstrate how the technology can support repetitive material-handling activities across multiple warehouse environments.

GXO has positioned advanced automation and physical artificial intelligence as areas of development within its logistics operations, working with technology providers to test and implement new systems in active facilities.

For Agility Robotics, the additional deployments will provide opportunities to apply operational experience from the existing Georgia installation to other fulfilment environments.

The expansion remains a planned deployment rather than a completed rollout. Operations at the Statesville and Lebanon facilities are expected to begin in early 2027, initially using Digit 4 robots before transitioning to Digit 5 when commercially available.

The agreement represents another step in the commercial development of humanoid warehouse automation, as GXO and Agility Robotics seek to extend their existing partnership across additional US logistics operations.