AGCO plans 2027 humanoid pilot at Kansas manufacturing site
AGCO and Agility Robotics have signed a commercial agreement to deploy Digit humanoids at AGCO’s Hesston, Kansas, agricultural equipment plant, with a pilot expected in 2027. Digit uses AI to adapt to workflows, and Agility Arc is intended to help manage robot fleets without major facility changes. AGCO joins other companies such as Toyota, GXO Logistics, and Schaeffler in deploying Digit.
AGCO, based in Duluth, Georgia, makes Fendt, Massey Ferguson, PTx and Valtra machinery. The U.S. Digit pilot is slated for 2027 in Hesston, Kansas, where the robot is expected to handle part sorting, stacking and tote placement.
Agility recently introduced Digit 5, adding redesigned legs, upgraded batteries and expanded safety features. The Salem, Oregon company is also studying wheeled robots and plans to go public through a merger with Churchill Capital Corp XI, expected to close in late 2026.
The pilot could affect AGCO’s Hesston workers by shifting some repetitive or physically demanding tasks to robots while creating new needs for monitoring, maintenance and safety oversight. If successful, it may encourage similar deployments among agricultural equipment makers and logistics firms, potentially changing entry-level roles and skill demands. Workers, local communities and managers may weigh productivity and ergonomic gains against concerns about job transitions and workplace integration.