Agility Robotics, a creator and manufacturer of robots designed to work alongside people in logistics and warehouse environments, announced it has raised $150 million in Series B funding, led by DCVC and Playground Global. Amazon’s Industrial Innovation Fund has also joined as an investor, the Oregon-based robotics company said.

Agility states that its robots offer unique value to businesses by increasing the productivity, efficiency and well-being of the human workforce. The capital increase will accelerate Agility’s R&D and increase its robot production, the company added.

“Unprecedented consumer and business demand has created an extraordinary need for robots to support people in the workplace,” said Damion Shelton, CEO of Agility Robotics. “With this investment, Agility can accelerate the delivery of robots to fill roles where there is an unmet need.”

“Agility is poised to make a powerful impact, developing and shipping robots designed to seamlessly coexist in our lives,” said Bruce Leak, General Partner at Playground Global. “Since the early days of Agility, we have believed that their unique technical approach is the only one that can deliver on the promise of practical everyday robots.”

Agility claims its robots are designed to be versatile, cost-effective and long-lasting assistants to people. The seller’s “Digit” robot is bi-pedal and can transport and move bins or boxes.

“We are deepening our investment in Agility Robotics because their robots are solving labor shortages plaguing businesses and wreaking havoc on supply chains,” said Matt Ocko, co-manager, DCVC. “Agility’s robots are designed to free people from repetitive or unpleasant tasks, allowing them to do the most rewarding work they can do better than any robot.”

The capital raise will accelerate delivery of Agility’s next generation of robots, the company added, extending its track record of execution that began with its first customer deliveries in 2018. Agility’s most advanced robot will be rolling out to customer sites later this year.

“The goal of Amazon’s Industrial Innovation Fund is to support emerging technologies through direct investments designed to spur invention and solve the world’s toughest problems in customer fulfillment operations, logistics and supply chain solutions,” said Katherine Chen, head of Amazon Industrial. Innovation Fund. “Agility’s approach to designing robotics for a mixed workforce is truly unique and can have a significant ripple effect for a wide range of industries, and we hope others will follow to accelerate innovation in this way.”

Agility’s Series B round includes participation from previous investors MFV Partners, ITIC, Robotics Hub, Safar Partners and TDK Ventures. The new capital will allow Agility to continue to expand its operations and hire in the United States. The company opened a new office in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in addition to expanding its main facilities in Oregon and operations in Palo Alto.