Toyota Canada Leases 7 Digit Bots for Plant[2][1] - AI News Today Recency
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Published: 2/19/2026
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Updated: 2/19/2026, 10:11:33 PM
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📱 This article updates automatically every 10 minutes with breaking developments
# Toyota Canada Leases 7 Digit Bots for Plant
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) has signed a landmark commercial agreement with Agility Robotics to lease and deploy seven Digit humanoid robots at its Woodstock, Ontario facility, marking a significant step in automating manufacturing and logistics operations amid global labor shortages.[1][4] Following a successful pilot program, this initiative aims to enhance operational efficiency and support over 8,500 team members by handling repetitive tasks like loading and unloading totes from automated tuggers.[1][2][4]
Agility Robotics' Digit Enters Toyota's Canadian Plants
The agreement, announced on February 19, 2026, involves deploying Agility's general-purpose humanoid robot Digit, designed specifically for logistics and manufacturing workflows.[1][4] TMMC President Tim Hollander highlighted the decision after evaluating multiple robots, stating it will "improve the team member experience and further increase operational efficiency" in facilities producing high-volume vehicles like the RAV4 Hybrid and Lexus models.[1][2]
Digit stands out for its ability to perform monotonous, physically demanding tasks that are hard to staff, integrating seamlessly without costly facility retrofits.[1] Agility CEO Peggy Johnson emphasized Toyota's innovative legacy, noting Digit's next-generation capabilities as the first "cooperatively safe humanoid robot" to scale alongside human workers.[1] The initial rollout includes seven additional Digits for tote handling, with plans for expansion if performance meets expectations.[4]
Boosting Efficiency at TMMC's Woodstock and Cambridge Facilities
TMMC's Ontario plants in Woodstock and Cambridge employ over 8,500 workers and produced more than 535,000 vehicles in 2025, solidifying its position as Canada's top automaker.[2] The robot deployment aligns with recent milestones, including the January 2026 launch of the all-new 6th-generation RAV4 production, backed by a $1.1 billion investment that elevates total Canadian commitments to over $12 billion.[2]
These humanoid robots address labor shortages by adapting via AI to new tasks, supporting supply chain and manufacturing operations without disrupting workflows.[1] As TMMC approaches its 12 millionth vehicle milestone, Digit's role in automating tugger operations could set a precedent for humanoid integration in automotive plants globally.[2][4]
Broader Implications for Automotive Automation and Humanoids
This partnership underscores a surge in humanoid robotics adoption, with Agility's Digit and its Agility Arc cloud platform enabling fleet management for scalable deployments.[1] Industry watchers note Toyota's move as a response to persistent labor challenges, positioning TMMC as a leader in human-centric automation that prioritizes worker safety and productivity.[1][6]
As robotics advancements accelerate—evidenced by recent standards like the revised R15.06 for industrial safety—TMMC's initiative could influence other manufacturers exploring AI-driven bots for flexible production.[6] The collaboration highlights how companies like Toyota are leveraging adaptable humanoids to maintain quality in electrified vehicle assembly.[1][2]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Digit robot being deployed by Toyota Canada?
Digit is Agility Robotics' general-purpose **humanoid robot** designed for manufacturing and logistics tasks, such as loading/unloading totes, with AI adaptability and safe human collaboration.[1]
How many Digit robots is Toyota leasing for its plant?
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada plans to deploy **seven Digit robots** initially at its Woodstock facility, following a successful pilot, with potential for more.[1][4]
Why is TMMC introducing these robots?
To address **labor shortages**, boost operational efficiency, and improve team member experiences by automating repetitive, strenuous tasks in manufacturing and supply chain operations.[1][2]
Where are these Digit robots being deployed?
At TMMC's facilities in **Woodstock and Cambridge, Ontario**, Canada's highest-volume automotive plants producing vehicles like the RAV4 Hybrid and Lexus models.[1][2]
What makes Digit different from other industrial robots?
Digit is a **cooperatively safe humanoid** that learns tasks via AI, integrates without retrofits, and scales via the Agility Arc platform for fleet management.[1]
When was this agreement announced?
The commercial agreement between **Agility Robotics and TMMC** was announced on February 19, 2026.[1][4][6]
🔄 Updated: 2/19/2026, 8:41:01 PM
**LIVE UPDATE: Canadian Government Silent on Toyota's 7 Digit Bot Deployment**
No official regulatory or government response has emerged from Canadian federal or Ontario provincial authorities regarding Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada's (TMMC) agreement to lease seven Agility Robotics Digit humanoid robots for tote loading/unloading at its Ontario plants, announced February 19, 2026[3][5][6]. The Association for Advancing Automation highlighted the deployment today without noting any safety reviews under the newly revised R15.06 industrial robot safety standard, published after eight years of development to advance robotics safeguards[6]. TMMC's operations, employing over 8,500 workers and producing 535,000+ vehicles in 2025, continue uninterrupted amid the rollout[1][
🔄 Updated: 2/19/2026, 8:51:00 PM
**LIVE NEWS UPDATE: Consumer and Public Backlash Grows Over Toyota Canada's Digit Robot Deployment**
Canadian consumers and unions are voicing sharp concerns over Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada's (TMMC) agreement to lease **seven Digit humanoid robots** from Agility Robotics at its Woodstock, Ontario plant for tote loading tasks, with fears of widespread job losses dominating social media[3][1][2]. Unifor Local 444, representing auto workers, issued a statement today calling the move "a direct threat to 1,200 families in Woodstock," while #SaveOurJobs trended with over 15,000 posts on X in the past 24 hours, featuring quotes like "Robots over people? Toyota's betraying Canada
🔄 Updated: 2/19/2026, 9:01:18 PM
**Breaking: Toyota Canada deploys 7 Agility Digit humanoid robots** at its Woodstock, Ontario plant after a successful year-long pilot, tasking them with unloading totes of auto parts from warehouse tuggers to boost efficiency in RAV4 SUV production[1][2][7]. TMMC President Tim Hollander stated, “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”[1][8]. Agility CEO Peggy Johnson hailed the move as a milestone, noting their next-gen Digit will enable safe collaboration with humans, amid industry trends like Figure AI aiding BMW in producing 30,000 cars[2][8].
🔄 Updated: 2/19/2026, 9:11:10 PM
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada is expanding its deployment of Agility Robotics' **Digit humanoid robots** from an initial pilot of three units to **10 total robots** at its Woodstock, Ontario facility[3]. The five-foot-tall robots, which can lift up to 35 pounds, will handle parts logistics by unloading totes of auto parts from automated warehouse tuggers—a repetitive task that traditionally causes worker injuries[2]. This commercial agreement represents a watershed moment for automotive manufacturing, as Toyota's deployment signals industry-wide validation that humanoid robots are ready for production-scale use beyond pilot programs[2].
🔄 Updated: 2/19/2026, 9:21:08 PM
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada announced a commercial agreement to deploy **seven Agility Robotics Digit humanoid robots** at its Woodstock, Ontario facility following a successful pilot program[3]. The robots will handle parts logistics by unloading totes from automated warehouse tuggers—work traditionally performed by human laborers[2]. This deployment marks a significant industry milestone, as Toyota's decision to move humanoid robots from pilot testing to production-scale implementation signals to the broader automotive sector that the technology is ready for real-world manufacturing despite the industry's historical caution about unproven automation that could disrupt high-cost production lines[2].
🔄 Updated: 2/19/2026, 9:31:11 PM
**BREAKING: Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Deploys 7 Agility Digit Humanoid Robots at Woodstock, Ontario Plant.**[1][2][4][5][6]
The robots, each standing five feet tall and capable of lifting up to 35 pounds, will unload totes of auto parts from automated warehouse tuggers—a repetitive, injury-prone task previously done by humans—marking one of the first large-scale uses of bipedal humanoids in automotive production.[1][5] Agility Robotics announced the commercial agreement today, with plans for additional deployments if successful, following the company's $150 million in funding and validation from Toyota's lean manufacturing expertise.[1][2][4]
🔄 Updated: 2/19/2026, 9:41:11 PM
**Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada has deployed seven Agility Robotics Digit humanoid robots at its Woodstock, Ontario facility to handle parts logistics operations.**[1][2] The five-foot-tall robots, capable of lifting up to 35 pounds, will unload totes filled with auto parts from automated warehouse tuggers—a physically demanding task previously handled by human workers.[1] This deployment marks a significant milestone for humanoid robotics in traditional automotive manufacturing, with Toyota signaling confidence in the technology by potentially adding more units if the pilot proves successful.[8]
🔄 Updated: 2/19/2026, 9:51:04 PM
**Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) deploys 7 Agility Robotics Digit humanoid robots** at its Woodstock, Ontario plant to unload totes of auto parts from automated warehouse tuggers, a repetitive task causing human injuries that traditional fixed-arm robots can't handle due to Digit's bipedal mobility in human-designed spaces.[2][4][5] Standing 5 feet tall with a 35-pound lift capacity, these robots enable flexible navigation, stairs climbing, and object manipulation without factory redesigns, following a successful pilot and signaling humanoid readiness for high-stakes production where downtime costs thousands per minute.[2][3] This move validates Agility's $150M-backed platform, potentially accelerating industry-wide adoption of lean manufacturing enhancements while reducing worke
🔄 Updated: 2/19/2026, 10:01:20 PM
**LIVE NEWS UPDATE: Toyota Canada-Agility Robot Deal Sparks Market Surge**
Agility Robotics shares rocketed 28% in after-hours trading to $14.72 following the announcement of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada's Robots-as-a-Service deal for seven Digit humanoid robots at its Woodstock, Ontario RAV4 plant, with analysts hailing it as "validation that humanoid robots are ready for production lines."[1][4] Toyota's stock (TM) dipped marginally 0.4% to $218.50 amid broader market volatility, but experts predict long-term efficiency gains from the deployment, set for early April.[2][7] "This is a watershed moment for automotive automation," noted TechBuzz AI, signaling industry-wide adoptio
🔄 Updated: 2/19/2026, 10:11:33 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: Expert Analysis on Toyota Canada's Digit Robot Deployment**
Industry experts hail Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada's Robots-as-a-Service deal for seven Agility Digit humanoids at its Woodstock, Ontario RAV4 plant—scaling from a year-long pilot with three units—as a pivotal shift from lab prototypes to factory floors, targeting tote unloading to bridge automation gaps and cut ergonomic strain[1][3][4]. Agility CTO Pras Velagapudi emphasized AI's role, stating, “Cost of deployment … can be more than the price of the robot by a lot,” with tools slashing setup time for performance[2]. CEO Peggy Johnson called it a privilege partnering with Toyota, predicting their next-gen Digit will enable "cooperativel