Apptronik stated its Apollo humanoid is the end result of practically a decade of growth. | Supply: Apptronik
Apptronik Inc. at this time stated it has raised a $520 million Sequence A-X funding spherical. This brings the Austin, Texas-based humanoid robotic developer’s whole Sequence A to greater than $935 million and its whole capital raised to just about $1 billion.
After its preliminary Sequence A announcement, totaling $415 million, inbound traders continued to point out curiosity, stated Apptronik. In response, the corporate prolonged the spherical, which is now closing at thrice the quantity of its authentic valuation.
“Today’s investment is a strong vote of confidence in our mission to deliver humanoid robots that are designed to work alongside humans, not just as tools but as trusted collaborators,” said Jeff Cardenas, co-founder and CEO of Apptronik..
“With the backing of our longstanding investors and strategic partners, we’re poised to unveil the newest version of Apollo and maximize the impact of embodied AI across industries,” he added. “Together, we’re transforming workflows, reimagining factory floors, and writing a new chapter for next-generation humanoid robots that are designed and built to drive meaningful societal progress.”
Apptronik stated Apollo is predicated on practically a decade of growth on 15 earlier robots, together with NASA’s Valkyrie. The corporate began out of the Human Centered Robotics Lab on the College of Texas at Austin and has practically 300 workers.
Apptronik plans to spend money on Apollo functions
Apptronik stated it has designed its Apollo humanoid robots to collaborate with individuals, initially in industries comparable to manufacturing and logistics, with potential functions in healthcare and the house. Apollo is meant to tackle bodily demanding work comparable to transporting parts, sorting, and kitting.
Apptronik has inked partnerships with Mercedes-Benz, GXO Logistics, and Jabil. The corporate additionally has a strategic partnership with Google DeepMind to construct the following era of humanoid robots, powered by Gemini Robotics.
With its newest capital, Apptronik stated it would ramp up manufacturing of Apollo and increase its world community of business and pilot deployments. The corporate additionally claimed that the funding will speed up its time to market and allow it to spend money on tasks to unravel the use circumstances of its giant variety of retail, manufacturing, and logistics clients.
As well as, Apptronik stated it plans to construct state-of-the-art services for robotic coaching and knowledge assortment. The corporate stated it expects end growing its newest robotic mannequin, which is about to debut on this 12 months.
The spherical included participation from current traders, together with B Capital, Google, Mercedes-Benz, and PEAK6, and new traders, together with AT&T Ventures, John Deere, and Qatar Funding Authority (QIA).
“Apptronik is setting the standard in embodied AI at scale,” stated Howard Morgan, chair and basic companion of B Capital. “At this pivotal moment, we’re proud to deepen our support as the team accelerates production and real-world deployment of AI-powered collaborators designed to work alongside people and reshape manufacturing, logistics, and other mission-critical industries.”
Humanoid funding is booming
From left to proper: Unitree’s humanoid, Boston Dynamics’ Atlas, Determine AI’s 02, Apptronik’s Apollo, and Tesla’s Optimus robotic. | Supply: Unitree, Boston Dynamics, Determine, Apptronik, and Tesla
Apptronik is much from the one humanoid firm elevating giant funding rounds. Final 12 months, Agility Robotics introduced in $400 million, Determine AI raised $1 billion in its Sequence C spherical, Leju Robotics raised $200 million, and Neura Robotics raised $123 million. Already this 12 months, LimX Dynamics has raised $200 million.
Whereas investor curiosity is excessive for humanoids, industrial deployments are nonetheless gradual. Agility Robotics leads the way in which in rollouts. Final 12 months, it deployed its Digit humanoid with Mercado Libre, a number one commerce and fintech ecosystem in Latin America, in a facility in San Antonio, Texas.
Digit was first deployed with GXO in June 2024. That is extensively thought-about to be the primary deployment of a humanoid at a industrial buyer website. Determine has additionally deployed its robots with a paying buyer since December 2024.
As well as, Boston Dynamics, one other long-time humanoid developer, is getting nearer to deploying its Atlas humanoid in industrial settings. The entire firm’s Atlas models are dedicated for 2026, delivery to Hyundai Motor Group’s Robotics Metaplant Utility Heart (RMAC) and Google DeepMind, with further clients deliberate for 2027.
Hyundai, Boston Dynamics’ guardian firm, goals to fabricate as much as 30,000 humanoids yearly by 2028. It stated Atlas will probably be performing high-precision sequencing at scale in 2028 and sophisticated meeting duties slated for 2030.
Editor’s be aware: The Robotics Summit & Expo will function a keynote panel on humanoids, together with Pras Velagapudi, chief expertise officer at Agility Robotics; Alberto Rodriguez, director of Atlas humanoid conduct at Boston Dynamics; and Aaron Prather, director of robotics and autonomous techniques packages at ASTM Worldwide.
