Austin-based humanoid robotics developer Apptronik has raised $520 million at a $5 billion valuation, bringing its Series A financing to $935 million, according to a CNBC report. The funding round, co-led by B Capital and Google, will support expanded operations, increased robot production and new facilities in Texas and California. Apptronik’s Apollo humanoid robots are currently being tested in factory and warehouse environments with partners including Mercedes-Benz, GXO Logistics and Jabil.
The investment highlights the growing demand for humanoid automation capable of performing a wide range of industrial tasks. Apptronik competes with a rapidly expanding field of humanoid robotics companies, including Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA), Figure, Agility Robotics, 1X and China’s Unitree. To strengthen its technological edge, Apptronik recently partnered with Google DeepMind to integrate Gemini Robotics AI models into Apollo, enhancing its robots’ decision-making and adaptability in complex environments.
Apptronik currently employs about 300 people and expects significant hiring as it works toward large-scale production. The company’s Apollo robot is the culmination of nearly a decade of development, drawing on work from 15 previous robots, including NASA’s Valkyrie robot. Apptronik originated from the Human Centered Robotics Lab at the University of Texas at Austin and now has 350 employees. More information is available at apptronik.com.
This funding round signals a pivotal moment for humanoid robotics, as investors bet on robots that can collaborate with humans in critical industries like manufacturing and logistics, with future applications expected in healthcare, the home and beyond. The collaboration with Google DeepMind positions Apptronik to leverage advanced AI for more capable and versatile robots, potentially accelerating adoption across sectors.
