Agility Robotics Inc. has signed an agreement with Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) to deploy its humanoid robot across the automaker’s facilities in Ontario following a successful year-long pilot program.
Toyota’s largest manufacturing hub outside Japan is taking a bold step into the future of automation. The robot, Digit, looks almost human.
The move raises a bigger question: whether humanoid robots are about to become standard on automotive production lines.
“Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada has long been a leader in automotive manufacturing innovation,” said Tim Hollander, president of TMMC. “After evaluating a number of robots, we are excited to deploy Digit to improve the team member experience and further increase operational efficiency in our manufacturing facilities.”
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From Pilot Project to Production Floor
The pilot phase involved three Digit robots operating across development, proof-of-technology, and onsite production testing stages.
Following positive results, TMMC plans to roll out seven additional humanoids to handle loading and unloading totes from automated tuggers. It’s a repetitive and physically demanding task common in automotive assembly.
If the expanded deployment proves successful, more robots could follow.
TMMC operates vehicle assembly plants in Cambridge and Woodstock, Ontario, and has been producing vehicles since 1988. In 2025 alone, the company assembled more than 535,000 vehicles and employed over 8,500 people. Just last month, Toyota announced a $1.1 billion investment to build the sixth-generation RAV4 at these Canadian plants, underscoring its long-term manufacturing commitment.
Why Humanoid Robots?
Unlike traditional industrial robots that remain fixed in place, Digit is designed as a general-purpose humanoid capable of moving through human-centered workspaces.
According to Agility Robotics, the robot integrates seamlessly into existing facilities without requiring costly retrofits.
Digit can lift and move objects, navigate factory floors autonomously, and adapt to evolving workflows. Powered by artificial intelligence, it learns tasks over time and connects to Agility Arc. Agility Arc is a cloud-based platform that manages and coordinates fleets of robots.
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Agility executives emphasize that the goal is not to replace workers but to assist them.
“With our next generation of Digit, we will be the first company to deliver the first cooperatively safe humanoid robot to work alongside people,” said Peggy Johnson, CEO of Agility Robotics. “Companies like Toyota will be able to scale their use of humanoids well beyond what is possible today.”
She added, “Toyota is one of the premier companies in the world, one with a long history of innovation and success, so it’s a privilege to integrate humanoid robotic solutions like Digit into automotive production.”
Agility Robotics points to global labor shortages and the physical toll of repetitive tasks as key drivers behind humanoid deployment. Automotive production lines often involve monotonous, process-driven work that can lead to fatigue or strain injuries.
By automating physically taxing activities including material handling and logistics, companies aim to reduce injury risk, increase safety, and allow employees to focus on higher-value tasks.
TMMC and Agility say they will continue exploring additional use cases across manufacturing, supply chain, and logistics operations. The companies plan to evaluate how AI-powered humanoids can complement human teams while boosting productivity.
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Toyota is not alone in its humanoid experiment. Several Fortune 500 companies have begun testing or deploying human-like robots in real-world environments.
Agility’s Digit has already worked commercially with GXO Logistics, which deployed the robot at a Spanx facility in Georgia under a robotics-as-a-service model. The milestone earned Agility Robotics a 2025 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award. Digit is also active at a Mercado Libre warehouse in San Antonio, Texas.
Across the industry, competitors are advancing their own humanoid platforms. Apptronik’s Apollo is being tested at Mercedes-Benz and Jabil. Boston Dynamics’ Atlas is under development at Hyundai Motor. Figure AI has deployed its Figure 02 humanoid at BMW. Tesla continues testing its Optimus robot inside its own factories.
The race to commercialize humanoid robotics is accelerating. Automotive manufacturing appears to be one of its primary battlegrounds.
Toyota’s decision to move from pilot testing to scaled deployment suggests growing confidence in humanoid automation. If things go as expected, Canadian assembly lines could offer a blueprint for how robots and humans collaborate in next-generation factories.
For now, Digit’s role remains focused on support tasks. But as AI capabilities improve and robotic dexterity advances, the line between helper and co-worker may blur.
