What does this mean for workers? AGCO's move touches 3 jobs, which together employ about 4.5 million people in the U.S. Across them, AI and robots already touch between 19m (team assemblers) and 4h 31m (laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand) of a typical 8-hour shift. A single company's move is an early signal for these jobs, and the time cards show how far the change has spread nationally.
A plan is a stated intention with a timeline, not yet in use.
On the floor
- AGCO plans Agility Digit humanoid robot pilot at Hesston, Kansas plant
AGCO and Agility Robotics announced a pilot of the Digit humanoid robot at AGCO's Hesston, Kansas facility, expected to begin in 2027. Digit will first support assembly and production work including sorting and stacking parts and placing totes for storage; the number of robots was not disclosed.
PR Newswire (AGCO release) · Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand, Helpers for Production Workers, Team Assemblers
Jobs affected
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand4h 31m of 8h touched · 3 million workers · $40k · +1.8% by 2035Where AI or robots show up most: Move freight, stock, or other materials to and from storage or production areas, loading docks, delivery vehicles, ships, or containers, by hand or using trucks, tractors, or other equipment (4h 13m a shift, robots)
- Helpers for Production Workers2h 55m of 8h touched · 166,000 workers · $39k · -8.2% by 2035Where AI or robots show up most: Help production workers by performing duties of lesser skill, such as supplying or holding materials or tools, or cleaning work areas and equipment (37m a shift, robots)
- Team Assemblers19m of 8h touched · 1.4 million workers · $45k · +1.1% by 2035Where AI or robots show up most: Operate machinery and heavy equipment, such as forklifts (18m a shift, robots)