Agility Robotics is gearing up for a showdown with tech giant Tesla by opening a sprawling 60,000-square-foot facility in Fremont, California. The location, just down the road from where Tesla plans to manufacture its Optimus robots, suggests a fierce competition is brewing.

The startup’s humanoid robot, Digit, is already making waves, delivering goods in manufacturing and warehouse settings for major clients like Amazon and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada. With over $300 million in contract orders secured, Agility is no pushover in the robotics race.

“It’s great to have Tesla as a neighbour,” CEO Peggy Johnson told TechCrunch. “We’ve commercialized our technology and now know how to meet the safety and regulatory standards required by various industries.”

The new facility will serve as a training ground for Digit, honing its skills in environments similar to those it’ll encounter on the job. Unlike Tesla’s ambitious plans, Agility remains focused on practical applications, particularly in manufacturing and logistics.

“We’re not looking at home robots anytime soon,” Hurst said. “But we do see a future where our robots are handling everything from cardboard boxes to tractor trailers.”