Agility Robotics’ New CEO Focuses on Present-Day Applications
About the Context
Agility Robotics, a leading manufacturer of bipedal robots, has appointed Microsoft veteran Peggy Johnson as its second CEO. Johnson brings extensive experience in the tech industry, having started her career at Qualcomm and spending several years at Microsoft. Most notably, she led the HoloLens team and became the CEO of Magic Leap before pivoting the AR firm towards enterprise applications.
Last Year at ProMat:
In 2018, Agility’s humanoid robots stole the show at the manufacturing supply chain event, ProMat. Their demonstrations showed the potential of these advanced bots, validating the interest in humanoid robots and attracting significant investment. Agility Co-Founder Damion Shelton recalls this period as the turning point for the company, prompting the initiation of a succession plan.
Succession Plan and Recent Hires:
August 2018 marked the beginning of the search process for a new CEO. In December, Apple/iPad vet Aindrea Campbell joined as COO to manage the company’s expanding manufacturing operations. Later, in February 2019, Jonathon Hurst stepped down as CTO and took on a more research-focused role as Chief Robotics Officer. Melonee Wise, formerly of Fetch, succeeded Hurst as CTO.
Present Day:
Johnson, who officially assumed the CEO role this week, expressed excitement about Agility’s innovative product and technology while acknowledging the importance of finding product-market fit. She emphasized Digit’s ability to deliver immediate returns to clients and its focus on specific use cases.
Company Background:
Established in 2015 as a spinoff of Hurst’s work on legged robotics at Oregon State University, Agility currently employs over 200 individuals. Although the exact number of Digits shipped remains undisclosed, the company has built approximately 60 units of an earlier model. Its primary focus lies in warehouse automation, enabling Digit to move totes around floors effectively.
Future Plans:
Though Agility doesn’t plan to raise funds immediately, Johnson acknowledged the influence of recent large investments in the robotics industry, such as Figure’s $2.6 billion valuation. She sees opportunities for growth and innovation within the company.
Conclusion:
With Johnson’s appointment, Agility continues to push boundaries in the field of industrial robotics. Her extensive industry knowledge and understanding of Agility’s capabilities make her an ideal leader for the company as it navigates the challenges and opportunities of the rapidly evolving robotics landscape.
