Mercado Libre Latin America Expansion Strategy
mercado Libre advanced in the incorporation of new logistics technologies by announcing the integration of the humanoid robot Digit, developed by Agility Robotics, in one of its operations centers located in San Antonio, Texas. The initiative marks the first corporate adoption of humanoid robots by a company of Latin American origin and is part of a broader strategy to modernize its distribution and order fulfillment processes.
The distribution center in Texas plays a key role within the scheme operational of the company, as it functions as a platform to supply the Mexican market with products sold from the United States. From that installation, Mercado Libre seeks to optimize cross-border delivery times and expand the catalog available to consumers in Mexico, with estimated times of between two and five days in the main cities of the country.
Along with the technological deployment, Mercado Libre informed its intention to modify its legal domicile in the United states, moving it from Delaware to Texas. The decision aims to concentrate its corporate presence in that state and strengthen the integration between the legal structure and logistics operations. According to the company, this reorganization would improve administrative efficiency and accompany the growth of its activities in US territory.
The San Antonio distribution center is positioned as a strategic node for regional logistics.From there, shipments to Mexico are managed involving both American sellers and the platform’s own operations. The incorporation of advanced robotic technology is framed within the need
Mercado Libre Deploys First OSHA-Certified Humanoid Robot,’Digit’
Mercado libre began integrating the ‘Digit’ humanoid robot into its Latin American logistics network in January 2026,marking a significant step in warehouse automation. The robot, developed by Agility Robotics, is capable of autonomous docking and recharging, allowing for continuous operation within the logistics environment. Digit also features customizable extremities, expanding the range of tasks it can perform.
Certifications and Industrial Environment Operation
Digit is the first humanoid robot to receive certification from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) through a nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL). OSHA certification verifies the system meets the necessary requirements for operation in complex industrial environments alongside human workers and other automated systems.
This certification is a key factor for implementation in large-scale distribution centers, where compliance with labor safety standards and current regulations is essential. Mercado Libre emphasized that the introduction of humanoids aims to complement human work, not replace it, integrating into existing processes.
Statements on Technology Adoption
Agustín Costa,Senior Vice President of Logistics at Mercado Libre, stated the company continuously seeks emerging solutions to improve operations and benefit both employees and customers.He indicated that the company views automation as a way to enhance, not eliminate, human roles within the logistics process.
“We are always looking for new technologies that can help us improve our operations and benefit both our employees and our customers,” Costa said in a company press release. “Digit is a great example of this, and we are excited to see how it can help us to make our logistics network even more efficient.”