Apptronik Raises $520 Million to Scale Apollo Humanoid Robots, CNBC Reports

Apptronik, an Austin-based humanoid robotics developer, has raised $520 million at a $5 billion valuation to accelerate commercialization of its Apollo humanoid robots, according to a CNBC report by Lora Kolodny. The funding round, which brings the company’s Series A financing to $935 million, was co-led by B Capital and Google and will support expanded operations, increased robot production and new facilities in Texas and California. Apollo robots are currently being tested in factory and warehouse environments with partners including Mercedes-Benz, GXO Logistics and Jabil.

The report notes that Apptronik is competing with a growing field of humanoid robotics companies, including Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA), Figure, Agility Robotics, 1X and China’s Unitree. Apptronik recently partnered with Google DeepMind to integrate Gemini Robotics AI models into Apollo, while investors cited growing demand for humanoid automation and the potential for robots capable of performing a wide range of industrial tasks. CNBC reported that Apptronik currently employs about 300 people and expects significant hiring as it works toward large-scale production.

The implications of this announcement are significant for the robotics industry. The $520 million raise at a $5 billion valuation underscores the high stakes in the humanoid robotics race, as companies vie to deploy robots that can perform tasks traditionally done by humans in manufacturing and logistics. Apptronik's partnership with Google DeepMind to integrate advanced AI models could give Apollo a competitive edge in perception and manipulation capabilities. The funding will also enable Apptronik to scale production and expand its workforce, positioning it to meet what investors see as surging demand for automation solutions.

For context, Apptronik emerged from the Human Centered Robotics Lab at the University of Texas at Austin and has over a decade of experience, including work on NASA’s Valkyrie robot. The company’s Apollo robot is designed for human collaboration and aims to address labor shortages and improve efficiency in industrial settings. As humanoid robots move from research labs to commercial deployment, Apptronik's progress will be closely watched by industry observers and competitors alike.

To view the full report, visit https://ibn.fm/4CpAH.