In a world where humanoid robots promise revolution, announcements often sound louder than the real deal. But not this time. Agility Robotics and Latin American giant Mercado Libre have entered into an agreement to deploy the Digit robot in a real warehouse in San Antonio, Texas. And the funny thing about this story is the almost complete lack of details. How many robots? For how long? What exactly will they do? The companies remain silent, as if it were a matter of state secrets, and not about dragging boxes. This is either an ingenious PR move that creates a stir, or a sign that the project is so raw that there is simply nothing to say about it.

"At Mercado Libre, we are constantly exploring how new technologies can improve our operations," said Agustin Costa, the company's senior vice president of delivery. It sounds impressive, but in reality it only means that the humanoid robot Digit, which is 5 feet 9 inches (about 175 cm) tall and weighs 140 pounds (63.5 kg), will now wander somewhere between the shelves. His main skill, apparently, is carrying containers (tote handling). Digit has already managed to move more than 100,000 such containers at the GXO Logistics warehouse in Georgia, which is considered the world's first commercial implementation of a humanoid.

What can this "digital employee" do? (Spoiler alert: not that much)

Despite its futuristic look, Digit's tasks are surprisingly mundane. His so-called "Skill Library" focuses on working with containers: transferring them from autonomous trolleys to conveyors, stacking them in different places. In fact, it is a mobile manipulator on two legs, capable of lifting up to 35 pounds (about 16 kg). It can charge itself autonomously, and its grips can be customized.

In November 2025, Digit received the OSHA safety certificate, which formally opens the way for it to more complex tasks, from working on packaging stands to managing container recycling flows. But for now, his role is that of an ultra—expensive and complex cart. Interestingly, Mercado Libre is already using other warehouse robots, but it is experimenting with humanoids for the first time. Apparently, the management decided that it was time to check whether the anthropomorphic design was worth the extra millions that had been invested in it.

Big plans, zero details

Officials of both companies are generous with big words, but stingy with facts. Daniel Diez, Commercial Director of Agility Robotics, said: "We are incredibly proud to partner with Mercado Libre... to integrate our autonomous humanoid robots capable of doing meaningful work." What is "meaningful work" in their understanding? One can only guess. The partners only noted that Digit would first focus on fulfillment-related tasks, and then they would "explore additional use cases."

One gets the impression that Mercado Libre, being the market leader, is just insured for the future. They kind of say: "We're also into the topic of humanoids, look!". Agility Robotics, in turn, received The Robot of the Year award from The Robot Report in 2024, and it desperately needs high-profile implementation cases to justify the investment. This pilot is the perfect symbiosis of marketing and careful technology testing.

Context: Why is everyone suddenly talking about humanoids?

The introduction of Digit is part of a global trend. Companies like Tesla (Optimus), Boston Dynamics (Atlas), Figure and others are investing billions in the creation of universal humanoid robots. Their main argument is that the world does not need to rebuild the entire infrastructure for robots if robots are designed for human infrastructure. Ladders, door handles, tools — all this already exists. You just need to create a machine that can use all of this.

However, there is a gap between the promo video on YouTube and working in a noisy, chaotic warehouse. Digit in Mercado Libre is an attempt to prove that humanoids can be not just circus acrobats, but economically viable storage units. The success or failure of this project can seriously affect investments in the entire industry.

The future: Hiring robots as a service

And here an interesting thought arises. If such pilots prove successful, we may see a shift in business models. Why would companies like Mercado Libre buy expensive and rapidly aging robots if they could?.. to "hire" them? There was a seasonal peak load — I rented a batch of Digits for three months through a specialized platform. I need to take inventory — I've put several units into operation for a week. Already today, a market is being formed where the robotic "workforce" becomes a service rather than an asset on the balance sheet. This is a logical evolution that will make advanced technology available to a much larger number of players.

Conclusion: a quiet revolution in a cardboard box

While society is waiting with trepidation for the appearance of companion robots and autonomous taxis, real robotics is happening quietly and without pathos - in warehouses, among boxes and conveyors. The introduction of Digit in Mercado Libre is exactly such a story. This is not a bouncing Atlas flip, but a hardworking man who must prove that his bipedality is not a quirk of engineers, but a practical advantage. Time will tell whether he will succeed, or whether the project will remain a classified pilot with unclear results. But one thing is for sure: if humanoids conquer the world, they will start with the most boring jobs. Perhaps this is the main irony of technological progress.