Apptronik, a cutting-edge humanoid robot developer, has raised $350 million in a funding round co-led by B Capital and Capital Factory, with participation from Google. This significant investment is set to propel the company’s ambitions of scaling the deployment of its Apollo humanoid robot and accelerating the development of next-generation AI-powered robotics.
The company’s Apollo robot, designed to perform human-like tasks, aims to address labor shortages and rising production demands in industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and elder care. Apptronik plans to use the capital to scale operations, enhance innovation, and expand its workforce to meet growing demand.
“We’re creating the world’s most advanced and capable humanoid robots, designed to work alongside humans in meaningful and transformative ways,” said Jeff Cardenas, Apptronik’s co-founder and CEO. “By combining cutting-edge AI with hardware engineered for interaction, we’re shaping a future where robots become partners in progress.”
Apptronik’s partnerships with major players like NASA and Mercedes-Benz highlight the transformative potential of humanoid robots. The collaboration with NASA focuses on commercializing Apollo, while the partnership with Mercedes-Benz has led to Apollo robots taking over labor-intensive tasks on the company’s production lines.
In addition to Mercedes-Benz, Apptronik has partnered with logistics leader GXO to test Apollo robots in warehouse environments, automating tasks like item picking. The company is also collaborating with Nvidia and Google DeepMind’s robotics team to further expand Apollo’s capabilities in space exploration, disaster relief, and other fields.
Unveiled in 2023, the Apollo humanoid robot represents a leap forward in robotics, designed to handle complex tasks while collaborating with human workers. As Apptronik continues to innovate, the future of humanoid robots as vital partners in various industries looks increasingly promising.
