Amazon’s latest warehouse innovation is blurring the line between machine and manual labor. The e-commerce giant has unveiled a new robotic system named Digit, capable of working 20-hour shifts and performing tasks that previously required human dexterity—including the ability to “feel” and identify items by touch.
As seen in Millionaire MNL, the new robot represents Amazon’s biggest push yet to automate warehouse tasks at scale, while mimicking human sensory input to boost precision and reduce error. But while Amazon pitches the move as a breakthrough in efficiency and safety, the announcement also intensifies concerns about labor displacement and long-term workforce strategy.
Meet Digit: the humanoid robot with tactile awareness
Developed in partnership with Agility Robotics, Digit is a bipedal warehouse robot designed to navigate aisles, pick up packages, and handle delicate items without dropping, misplacing, or damaging them. What sets Digit apart from previous generations of Amazon robotics is its advanced haptics system—a tactile sensing framework that lets it “feel” objects through pressure and texture, mimicking the feedback loop of human hands.
This sensory tech enables Digit to recognize packaging types, adapt its grip, and reroute tasks if items are fragile or unstable. Amazon claims Digit can operate up to 20 hours per day, pausing only for short recharging cycles.
According to the company, the robot is currently being tested at several fulfillment centers, with broader deployment planned for 2026.
Efficiency meets labor reality
Amazon is positioning Digit as a complement to human workers, not a replacement. The company says robots like Digit will handle repetitive, injury-prone tasks, freeing employees to focus on quality control and higher-level operations.
“We’re not trying to replace jobs—we’re trying to improve them,” said Scott Dresser, VP of Global Robotics at Amazon. “Digit allows us to maintain high throughput without pushing our people to the edge.”
Still, the optics are hard to ignore. With a 20-hour daily work capacity, Digit can outperform human workers by nearly 3x—and never calls in sick. Labor advocates say Amazon’s language around “augmentation” masks a clear trend toward systematic automation of its logistics workforce.
As seen in Millionaire MNL, Amazon has already deployed more than 750,000 robots across its global operations. Digit may be the most advanced—and most human-like—yet.
Amazon’s long-term automation playbook
Digit isn’t just about one robot. It reflects Amazon’s broader ambition to build self-learning fulfillment systems—where predictive AI, robotics, and real-time analytics work together to reduce downtime, minimize errors, and accelerate delivery.
Key to that vision is versatile robotics that can adapt to changing inventory, unpredictable orders, and variable conditions. Unlike fixed-arm bots, Digit’s humanoid form allows it to function in dynamic warehouse layouts without needing a complete infrastructure overhaul.
The haptics system is a milestone in that evolution, enabling machines to handle products ranging from bubble-wrapped electronics to soft apparel with differentiated care.
Amazon’s automation division is reportedly investing heavily in new robotics R&D hubs in both the U.S. and EU, with long-term goals of full-cycle fulfillment automation—from pick to pack to ship.
What this means for the future of warehouse work
Amazon has long argued that automation creates more jobs than it displaces—particularly in tech, engineering, and operations management. But with each leap forward in robotics, the baseline skillset for warehouse employment shifts higher.
Critics warn that increased automation could hollow out mid-skill roles and create a two-tiered system: high-paying tech roles at the top, and ultra-low-wage roles at the bottom—with machines doing everything in between.
Others argue the evolution is inevitable—and necessary. “You can’t run a global e-commerce operation with legacy tools,” said one logistics analyst. “The choice isn’t human vs. robot. It’s scale vs. stagnation.”
As seen in Millionaire MNL, Amazon’s bet is that robots like Digit won’t just fulfill orders—they’ll define the future of logistics, with speed, precision, and intelligence baked in.
