Peggy Johnson, CEO of Agility Robotics, emphasizes that today’s bipedal robots with birdlike legs deliver real value in paid deployments, not just viral videos. She notes that humanoid robotics have moved into practical applications with companies like Amazon, Schaeffler, Mercado Libre, and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada. Johnson states that the technology is transitioning from demos to real-world use, a shift that surprises many, including fellow CEOs.

Agility is poised to become the first pure-play humanoid robot maker to go public in the U.S., merging with Churchill Capital Corp XI in a deal valuing the company at $2.5 billion. The Digit humanoid robot is already deployed in commercial settings, such as a South Carolina car-parts factory. Johnson warns that many inventors fail to commercialize technology because they become too enameled with their creations, assuming market demand will follow.

She admits this is a trap she herself has fallen into as an engineer.