Human-centered robots will greatly change the labor scene

Industrial robots fill labor gaps in a wide range of industries, including factories, warehousing and hotels. In particular, collaborative robots (cobots) that work together with humans in the same environment have attracted new attention. In recent years, in order to cope with labor shortages, ensure productivity and combat infectious diseases, collaborative robots have begun to enter various workplaces. According to a survey by Yano Research Institute, the global collaborative robot market size is expected to expand from 149.7 billion yen in 2021 to 1.053 trillion yen in 2032. Robots have the potential to significantly change the work environment in the future.

The global collaborative robot market is expected to expand significantly. With the advent of core components with higher performance and richer functions, collaborative robots are expected to enter new industry areas and create new demand areas. (Data source: "Global Collaborative Robots (Cobot) Market Survey (2023)") Yano Economic Research Institute Co., Ltd., released on March 1, 2023.

The most advanced collaborative robots tend to be humanoid robots, which resemble humans in appearance. These robots can work in the same environment as humans, so there is no need to build new facilities for them and can therefore be easily deployed in existing workplaces. At the same time, robots can move at the same speed as humans, and objects can be transferred between humans and robots, all of which help robots and humans work together smoothly. However, bipedal walking robots themselves are not as stable as wheeled robots and are prone to tipping over, requiring complex sensing and motion control. In addition, due to its low mobile energy efficiency, improving battery performance is crucial to extend runtime.

Robotics technology is constantly evolving, from industrial robots to pet robots to today’s collaborative humanoid robots.

TDK Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of TDK, has invested in Agility Robotics, a US startup that is developing a next-generation human-centered Digit robot series that can effectively address the above challenges.

Agility Robotics was founded in California in 2015 and rose to fame in 2018 when it launched Digit, a human-centered bipedal walking robot. In March 2023, the company launched the second-generation Digit to support higher performance and functionality. Digit is about the size of a human being, with a height of 175 cm. It can go up and down stairs and move on uneven ground. Equipped with the latest sensor technology such as LiDAR*, cameras and AI algorithms, Digit is able to sense its surroundings, enabling multiple robots to operate autonomously as a group of devices in the same location. This can significantly reduce the workload of humans assigning tasks and guiding robots. Digit has hands and arms optimized to hold objects and can carry loads of up to 16kg. Additionally, it comes with a programmable interface that makes it easy to customize actions and modify tasks.

Currently, Digit robots are used in warehouses and distribution centers to move goods or store goods on shelves. In the future, it is expected to replace humans in loading and unloading trucks and delivering goods to your doorstep. In addition, it will be combined with self-driving truck technology to play a key role in the "last mile" of the distribution business.

TDK recognized the potential in the safe, multifunctional robotics technology developed by Agility Robotics and decided to invest in it through TDK Ventures in 2020. Jonathan Hurst, co-founder and chief robotics officer of Agility Robotics, expressed his views on reaching technical collaboration with TDK. “TDK has played a very critical role in Agility’s development as an early partner. We are fortunate to have an investor who understands the robotics industry and is also developing technology to help drive the robotics industry forward. People First Robots that can move in human environments require the latest sensors, actuators and batteries. We are looking for components that can further improve the performance of the robots, and the expertise of the TDK Group will be a great help.”

While Digit already houses some of the most advanced robotics technology in the world, Hurst noted that there will still be challenges and more developments ahead. "In order for Digit to work in a more diverse environment, we also had to overcome many technical obstacles. To do this, we developed several new features: a self-charging base that automatically locks Digit, and better handling of plastic boxes and cardboard An improved gripper for the box, and a robot head design that can communicate the robot’s movements to nearby people.”

With the further development of human-centered robots, we can expect a higher level of coexistence between humans and robots in the labor market in the future. TDK is enabling the continued evolution of robots with its numerous sensors and compact, high-capacity battery technology. As collaborative robots mature and become more functional, they will help increase productivity and solve labor shortages and other social problems. Ultimately, freeing humans from difficult and dangerous tasks will allow us to work in a more creative, more human-like way.

Founded in 2019, TDK Ventures mainly invests in startups around the world that promote DX (digital transformation) and EX (energy transformation), including robotics, next-generation materials, mobility, medical technology, industry and other fields. For more information about TDK Ventures' activities and portfolio companies, please visit the TDK Ventures website.

the term

*LiDAR: Abbreviation for Airborne LiDAR. A system that uses infrared and/or laser light to measure the distance and height of objects and terrain.

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