Toyota Canada Deploys Humanoid Robot ‘Digit’ in Woodstock Plant | Global News
Woodstock, Ontario – Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) will begin deploying humanoid robots from Agility Robotics at its Woodstock assembly plant in 2026, following a successful year-long pilot project. The initial deployment will consist of three “Digit” robots, with a total of seven contracted under a Robots-as-a-Service agreement, according to a statement released by TMMC.
The robots are intended to support manufacturing, supply chain, and logistics operations, specifically unloading totes of auto parts from an automated warehouse tugger. TMMC President Tim Hollander stated the deployment aims “to improve the team member experience and further increase operational efficiency in our manufacturing facilities.”
Agility Robotics, a firm originating from Oregon State University in 2015, is a leader in developing robots capable of operating in real-world industrial environments. The company’s proprietary cloud-based software package, Arc, will be used to manage the robot fleet, with Agility emphasizing the role of artificial intelligence in reducing deployment costs. According to Agility’s CTO, Pras Velagapudi, the cost of deploying robots can often exceed the price of the robots themselves.
This marks a significant expansion for Agility Robotics, which already has Digits working with logistics providers including GXO, Schaeffler, and Amazon. Agility CEO Peggy Johnson described the partnership with Toyota as a “privilege,” noting Toyota’s history of innovation. “Toyota is one of the premier companies in the world…so it’s a privilege to join forces to integrate humanoid robotic solutions like Digit into automotive production,” Johnson said.
The deployment of humanoid robots in automotive manufacturing is considered a rare and difficult undertaking, as demonstrated capability in a lab setting does not guarantee seamless integration into existing workflows, including maintenance and charging. Industry analyst Ram Devarajulu of Cambridge Consultants noted in late 2025 that successful adoption hinges on technology companies gaining a deep understanding of real-world tasks and workflows.
TMMC operates vehicle assembly plants in both Cambridge and Woodstock, representing Toyota’s largest manufacturing operation outside of Japan. The company is continuing to explore additional applications for robots and artificial intelligence within its automotive production processes.