Humanoid robotics maker Apptronik grabbed $350 million in series A funding with participation by Google, a move seen as a boost to deployment of its Apollo robot amid fast-growing interest in the humanoid robot sector from manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz as well as industrial customers.
In addition to funding interest from Google, Nvidia has been a collaborator with Apptronik over the past year, with its 5-foot-8 Apollo humanoid appearing as early as March 2024 at Nvidia GTC in San Jose, California. All told, the 150-person company has developed 15 robotic systems including NASA’s Valkyrie. It entered into a strategic partnership with the Google DeepMind robotics team in December.
The company, founded in 2016 at the University of Texas, expects to expand deployment and development of Apollo in 2025, having previously shown its full range of mobility and the ability to lift boxes and other products and to manipulate tools with robotic hands and dexterous fingers. (See video below.)
The funding round, led by B Capital and Capital Factory with Google’s participating role, marks a “pivotal moment” for the company’s effort, company leaders said Thursday. The humanoid robots being produced by Apptronik are designed to work alongside humans, officials emphasized, an apparent reference to some growing concerns about humanoids operating independently with artificial general intelligence skills .
“We’re shaping a future where robots become true partners in driving progress,” said Jeff Cardenas, CEO and co-founder of Apptronik. Capital Factory Chairman Gordon Dougherty said Apptronik was “setting a new standard in human-centered AI.”
Apptronik has seen record growth over the past three years and had only seen $28 million in previous funding. e company boasted “skyrocketing” customer demand across verticals such as automotive, electronics, third-party logistics, beverage bottling and packaged goods. It lists its commercial agreements with Mercedes-Benz and GXO Logistics as evidence of market demand. The company foresees humanoid robots playing a role in disaster relief, elder care, medical advancements and space exploration.
Apollo is a 5-foot-8 and 160 pounds and can run four hours on a battery pack. It supports a payload of 55 pounds. Apptronik has posted several videos about Apollo’s mobility and other capabilities.