Arrr! Be holdin' yer breath, me hearties, for Spanx warehouse now be filled wit' mechanical men, argh!
2023-12-27
Kurt "Cyber Bucaneer" Knutsson be introducin' us to the mechanical marvel, a human-like automaton, toilin' away like a swabbie in a Spanx treasure trove o' booty in Georgia. Arr, who needs landlubber hands when ye got such a metallic matey!
In a surprising move, women's clothing brand Spanx is employing a humanoid robot named "Digit" in its Georgia warehouse. This robot, built by GXO Logistics, is designed to work in human spaces and perform various warehouse tasks. Standing at 5 feet 9 inches tall, Digit is capable of lifting 35 pounds and is currently being utilized for repetitive tasks such as moving totes and placing boxes on conveyor belts.The goal of introducing Digit into the warehouse is to reduce strain on human workers and allow them to focus on more advanced tasks. GXO has stated that the robot will continue to receive software updates to improve its performance. So far, Digit has been well-received, with employees reporting higher job satisfaction. Additionally, employing a robot like Digit is cheaper than hiring another human worker, costing around $10-$12 per hour to run.
While Digit is still in its pilot phase, GXO is optimistic about its future role and expansion. However, the rise of robot workers in warehouses raises concerns about potential job displacement. ARK Invest CEO Cathie Wood predicts that robot workers could outnumber humans at Amazon within the next seven years. Nevertheless, it is likely that the roles of humans in warehouses will evolve rather than disappear completely. While tasks like placing totes on conveyor belts can be automated, humans may still be needed for programming robots and making repairs.
Overall, the introduction of Digit showcases the potential for humanoid robots in the workforce and highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the future of human employment in the face of automation.