Apptronik, a pioneer in humanoid robotics, has announced $350 million in Series A funding. Spearheaded by co-leads B Capital and Capital Factory, along with participation from tech giant Google, this hefty investment brings Apptronik’s total funding to an impressive $378 million since its inception. Founded in 2016 at the University of Texas at Austin’s Human Centered Robotics Lab, Apptronik aims to accelerate the development of its next-generation humanoid robot, Apollo.
The fresh capital injection will propel the company forward in testing Apollo within real-world applications, with agreements secured from industry heavyweights Mercedes-Benz and GXO Logistics. These partnerships aim to validate the usefulness of humanoid robots in structured environments like logistics and manufacturing. According to CEO Jeff Cardenas, such controlled environments offer an ideal setting for the initial deployment of humanoids, ensuring safe interactions between robots and their human counterparts.
In a market filled with investment fervor around humanoid technologies, Apptronik is making waves in a competitive landscape. With competitors like Figure AI securing $854 million in funding, including a notable $675 million Series B round earlier this year, and Agility Robotics garnering at least $178 million, the race to develop advanced humanoid solutions is intensifying. Apptronik stands out with its commitment to building a vertically integrated solution. This year, they won an RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award for their custom linear actuators, a testament to their expertise.
The company's history of collaboration with NASA and tech firms like NVIDIA has been a cornerstone of its development strategy. In 2022, Apptronik joined forces with NASA to propel humanoid technology forward, a partnership rooted in their early contribution to NASA’s Valkyrie Robot project. More recently, a partnership with Google DeepMind bridges AI and robotics, aiming to enhance Apollo’s skill set with cutting-edge intelligence.
The Series A funding will also support Apptronik's ambition to create a comprehensive data collection system. Dubbed "Robot Park" and located in Austin, this facility aspires to be a hub for collecting vast amounts of data crucial for refining humanoid capabilities, from mobility to fine manipulation. The goal is to foster a "data flywheel," where real-world data collection from customer applications is cycled back into developing more sophisticated robotic models and behaviors.
Capital Factory’s involvement underscores the local influence and the entrepreneurial spirit of Texas. As a central incubator in Texas’ burgeoning tech scene, Capital Factory, led by chairman Gordon Daugherty, is amplifying Apptronik’s mission to establish a new standard in human-centered AI. Throughout the Lone Star State, there’s enthusiasm for supporting the rapid growth of this homegrown innovation. Investors range from families traditionally tied to oil and gas, seeking to diversify into high-tech ventures.
We also hear from Howard Morgan, Chair and General Partner of B Capital, who sees great potential in Apptronik’s approach to addressing global challenges. From disaster relief to medical advancements, humanoid robots are envisioned to play significant roles beyond logistics, marking a new chapter in the utility of robotics.
As Apptronik advances, all eyes are on how Apollo will redefine the boundaries between human and machine, shaping a future where humanoid robots are seamlessly integrated into society, addressing core challenges and advancing technological horizons.
.png)
