Factory Employs Human 'Agility Contractors' to Monitor Robot Workers

A South Carolina manufacturing plant is using human supervisors to watch over a humanoid robot worker on the assembly line.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 1:03pm

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A manufacturing plant in Cheraw, South Carolina has deployed a humanoid robot named Digit to operate a stamping press on its assembly line. For now, Digit is enclosed in a plexiglass cage and observed by a human 'Agility contractor' for eight hours a day, as the robot is not yet able to detect human presence in its environment. The goal is for Digit to eventually work alongside human workers on the factory floor, raising questions about the future of manufacturing jobs.

Why it matters

The use of humanoid robots in manufacturing highlights the rapid advancements in robotics technology and the potential impact on human workers. As robots become more capable and cost-effective, factories may increasingly turn to automation, potentially displacing some human jobs. This story illustrates the transitional phase as factories integrate robots and grapple with regulatory and safety concerns.

The details

The Schaeffler plant in Cheraw, South Carolina has deployed a humanoid robot named Digit to operate a stamping press on its assembly line. For now, Digit is enclosed in a plexiglass cage and observed by a human 'Agility contractor' for eight hours a day, as the robot is not yet able to detect human presence in its environment. This is due to machine-guarding regulations. However, Schaeffler expects Digit to be able to work alongside human workers by the end of the year, once the safety concerns are addressed. The Agility contractors currently cost the factory between $10 to $25 per hour, while entry-level human workers at the plant start at $20 per hour. Agility, the company behind Digit, aims to eventually bring the cost of the humanoid robots down to $2 to $3 per hour.

  • Digit has been deployed to the Schaeffler plant in Cheraw, South Carolina.
  • Digit currently operates within a plexiglass enclosure, observed by a human 'Agility contractor' for 8 hours per day.
  • Schaeffler expects Digit to be able to work alongside human workers by the end of 2026.

The players

Digit

A humanoid robot deployed to the Schaeffler plant in Cheraw, South Carolina to operate a stamping press on the assembly line.

Schaeffler

A manufacturing plant in Cheraw, South Carolina that has deployed the humanoid robot Digit to its assembly line.

Agility

The company that developed the humanoid robot Digit and provides 'Agility contractors' to supervise the robot's operation at the Schaeffler plant.

Courtney Baines

An advanced production technology engineer at Schaeffler who stated the company has identified many use cases for humanoid robots.

Damion Shelton

The co-founder of Agility, the company behind the Digit robot, who said the goal is to eventually bring the cost of the robots down to $2-$3 per hour.

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What they’re saying

“We've identified a whole host of use cases that we would like humanoid robots to do.”

— Courtney Baines, Advanced Production Technology Engineer, Schaeffler

“Efficiency is the name of the game and it's relentless. It's not going to stop.”

— Doug Thompson, 14-year Manufacturing Worker, Schaeffler

What’s next

Schaeffler expects Digit to be able to work alongside human workers on the factory floor by the end of 2026, once safety concerns are addressed and the robot can detect human presence in its environment.

The takeaway

The deployment of humanoid robots like Digit in manufacturing highlights the rapid advancements in robotics technology and the potential impact on human jobs. As robots become more capable and cost-effective, factories may increasingly turn to automation, raising questions about the future of manufacturing employment and the role of human workers in an increasingly automated workplace.