FREMONT — Robotics company Agility expects to bring jobs and robot-related artificial intelligence technologies to Fremont’s Ardenwood neighborhood with its new research center.
The company said it plans to hire about 200 people to work in the company’s 59,900 square-foot building at 6607 Kaiser Dr.
“Agility Robotics’ decision to establish its AI development hub here reflects the strength of our talent, our culture of innovation, and our leadership in advanced manufacturing and robotics,” Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan said.
The company said it wants to hire software engineers with AI and machine-learning skills, along with other types of tech workers.
“Being in the heart of Silicon Valley brings us into one of the world’s leading AI talent and innovation ecosystems, allowing us to develop new capabilities for Digit faster and put them to work for customers immediately,” said Peggy Johnson, Agility’s chief executive officer. “Being one of the only companies operationally deploying humanoids in real enterprise environments, our Fremont facility will play a critical role in driving innovation that anticipates and delivers on the capabilities our customers need.”
Agility has secured more than $300 million of multi-year orders for Digit v5, a humanoid robot developed by Agility. The company says it has a pipeline of at least 30 customers.
“The Fremont facility is vital to meet this demand,” Agility said.
Schaeffler, a manufacturer of precision devices and systems for automotive, aerospace and industrial sectors; GXO, a contract logistics provider; Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada; and MercadoLibre, a Mexican e-commerce and fintech network, are among the companies Agility has deployed humanoids to.
The tech company hopes its robots can assume more repetitive, physically demanding tasks in warehouses and manufacturing hubs and still work safely alongside people.
The company is expanding ahead of its planned initial public stock offering. Agility expects the offering will make it the first publicly listed pure-play humanoid robotics company.
