{
  "id": 8710030,
  "title": "Scientists Create New Humanoid Robot That Flinches in Fear When You Come Close",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/scientists-create-new-humanoid-robot-that-flinches-in-fear-when-you",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-20T15:01:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Futurism",
    "slug": "futurism",
    "url": "https://futurism.com/robots-and-machines/new-humanoid-robot-flinches-human-close"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Recent advancements in robotics have led to the development of a new humanoid robot named Digit 5 by Agility Robotics. This innovative machine is designed to operate alongside human workers in various industrial settings, such as warehouses, with a primary focus on ensuring safety. With the increasing prevalence of two-legged humanoid robots at the jobsite, companies are taking safety implications seriously, and Digit 5 represents a significant step forward in this direction.\n\nDigit 5 employs \"proprietary AI algorithms\" and sophisticated sensors to continuously monitor its surroundings and take appropriate action to avoid, stop, or assume a seated position. This ensures that the robot will cower in apparent fear and drop to its knees when a human approaches, as demonstrated in a promotional video. This behavior may seem odd at first glance but can be reassuring, as it signals the robot's awareness and caution in close proximity to humans.\n\nPras Velagapudi, Agility Robotics' CTO, explained that the robot's safe motion system is designed to take various mitigations based on the type of human presence detected. Agility Robotics has already deployed its fleet of robots in commercial operations run by companies like Amazon and Toyota, demonstrating their commitment to making these robots increasingly safe and reliable.\n\nDigit 5's advanced AI chip from Nvidia, called Thor IGX, enables the robot to monitor for the presence of humans in real-time by collecting data from vision-based sensors. This robot can also repeatedly lift up to 50 pounds, making it capable of performing a wide range of single-person lift tasks in OSHA-regulated facilities. Additionally, Digit 5's battery lasts for 90 minutes, with a full charge taking only nine minutes, allowing it to operate for over 20 hours daily.\n\nAs humanoid robots become more common in human workplaces, it's encouraging to see that safety concerns are being addressed seriously. The fact that a robot would drop to its knees if a human came too close is undoubtedly a more comforting sight than being confronted by a potentially dangerous machine.",
  "summary": "Bow down to your human. The post Scientists Create New Humanoid Robot That Flinches in Fear When You Come Close appeared first on Futurism .",
  "key_points": [
    "Agility Robotics develops humanoid robot Digit 5 for industrial settings.",
    "Digit 5 uses AI algorithms and sensors to detect human presence and cower in fear.",
    "Robot can lift 50 pounds, has 90-minute battery life for over 20 hours of operation."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}