AGCO (NYSE: AGCO) and Agility Robotics signed a commercial agreement on October 20, 2026, to deploy Digit humanoid robots at AGCO's Hesston, Kansas, production facility, with the pilot expected to begin in 20278,5.
The Hesston plant manufactures combines and hay and forage equipment for AGCO's Fendt and Massey Ferguson brands. Digit will initially handle parts sorting and stacking and intelligent placement of totes for storage, automating repetitive and physically demanding tasks in existing assembly and production workflows3,6.
Agility Robotics said the system is designed to help customers introduce robots into existing operations without extensive infrastructure changes. Digit works alongside Agility Arc, the company's cloud-based fleet management platform, and Agility Robotics said the robot continuously learns and adapts to evolving workflows through AI.
"This strategic relationship views humanoid robotics and AI as essential 'teammates' in building flexible, intelligent factories," said Thomas Enghof, AGCO's Director of Manufacturing Technology. "They unlock automation in complex, human-centric workflows, augmenting human capabilities by absorbing repetitive, strenuous or hazardous tasks".
AGCO said the pilot will allow it to evaluate whether humanoid robots can improve ergonomics and operational efficiency while shifting repetitive physical work away from employees.
Agility Robotics said the agreement adds AGCO to a customer group that includes Toyota, GXO, and Schaeffler.
The deal arrives days after a separate milestone for Agility Robotics: the SEC declared effective on October 13, 2026, the S-4 registration statement for the company's proposed merger with Churchill Capital Corp XI, a step toward a Nasdaq listing expected to close in Q4 2026[1]. ANALYSIS A new manufacturing customer announced the same week the company clears its listing paperwork gives Agility Robotics a concrete commercial reference point as it prepares to face public-market scrutiny.
Daniel Diez, Chief Business Officer of Agility Robotics, was identified in the announcement as a key figure in the partnership.