Apptronik, a company focused on creating AI-powered humanoid robots, has announced that it successfully secured $3.5 billion in early-stage funding to advance the development of its next-generation robot, Apollo.
This Series A funding round was co-led by B Capital and Capital Factory, with participation from Google.
Humanoid robots continue to draw industry attention due to their potential for collaborative work with humans in factories, warehouses, and hazardous environments. By designing robots that resemble human form and are powered by AI, these machines can perform tasks typically done by humans without placing them at risk or alongside them in less dangerous settings.
"We are building the world's most advanced and capable humanoid robots designed to collaborate with humans in meaningful and transformative ways," said Jeff Kadner, co-founder and CEO of Apptronik. "By combining cutting-edge AI with hardware designed for meaningful interaction, we are shaping a future where robots become true partners in driving progress."
Founded in 2016 at the Human Centered Robotics Lab at the University of Texas in Austin, Apptronik is renowned for developing 16 different robotic systems, including Valkyrie, also known as R5, NASA's humanoid robot.
The company's flagship robot, Apollo, is an AI-driven humanoid robot specifically designed for industrial applications. Apptronik claims that Apollo will soon be operational in warehouses and manufacturing plants, with plans to expand into construction, oil and gas, electronics, retail, and distribution sectors. The robot is engineered for friendly interaction, heavy lifting, carrying capabilities, and scalable mass production.
Recently, Apptronik collaborated with Google's DeepMind Robotics team to innovate top-tier hardware and intelligence for humanoid robots. DeepMind contributed knowledge of Google’s advanced Gemini model and robotic machine learning algorithms. Additionally, the company has been working on AI systems tailored for robotic applications to address some of the industry's toughest challenges. Apptronik has also entered commercial agreements with Mercedes-Benz Group and logistics provider GXO Logistics. Mercedes-Benz aims to explore potential use cases for Apollo in logistics, such as bringing parts to the production line for assembly, which are part of so-called kitting packages, while workers conduct inspections simultaneously.
With the new funding, Apptronik plans to "expand Apollo's deployment" this year and continue innovating in both robotic hardware and AI design. The company also intends to extend the robot's capabilities into other industries, including elder care and healthcare.
