Apptronik Secures $520 Million in Series A Funding, Valued at $5 Billion, to Accelerate Humanoid Robot Commercialization
Austin, TX – Apptronik, a burgeoning leader in humanoid robotics, has announced a significant $520 million in Series A funding, catapulting its valuation to $5 billion. This substantial investment marks a critical step in the company’s mission to bring its Apollo humanoid robots to market, positioning it as a formidable contender against international rivals and other ambitious projects, such as Tesla’s Optimus.
The latest funding round, which follows an initial $415 million, brings Apptronik’s total Series A financing to an impressive $935 million. The round was co-led by B Capital, a venture capital firm chaired by Howard Morgan, and Google. This infusion of capital is earmarked for refining the design and initiating mass production of the Apollo robots.
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, a hub for technological innovation that also hosts Tesla’s corporate headquarters, Apptronik CEO Jeff Cardenas expressed his enthusiasm about the company’s trajectory. “This funding allows us to accelerate our commercialization efforts and bring the Apollo robot to a wider range of industries,” Cardenas stated.
Early deployments of the Apollo robot are already underway in controlled environments within factories and warehouses operated by Apptronik’s strategic partners, including automotive giant Mercedes-Benz, logistics provider GXO Logistics, and manufacturing services company Jabil. These pilot programs are crucial for gathering real-world performance data and identifying areas for enhancement.
Currently, the Apollo robots operate within designated zones, relying on external sensors and safety features like light curtains to ensure human-robot collaboration. When a human breaches these boundaries, the robot immediately halts its operation. Cardenas detailed the company’s roadmap toward achieving “collaborative safety,” envisioning a future where Apollo can dynamically adjust its speed, stop, or maneuver in proximity to human workers, much like a human would, while performing tasks such as component transport, sorting, and heavy lifting.
The landscape of humanoid robot development is increasingly competitive, featuring players like China-based Unitree, Figure AI, Agility Robotics, and 1X. Tesla, a prominent player in electric vehicles and artificial intelligence, has also signaled its intent to invest heavily in its Optimus humanoid robot, earmarking $20 billion for capital expenditures in 2026 to support robot manufacturing and autonomous vehicle development. However, during a recent earnings call, Tesla CEO Elon Musk indicated that Optimus remains in its early research and development phases.
Cardenas highlighted the inherent advantage of humanoid robots in the automation sector: their unparalleled versatility. “The allure of humanoids lies in their ability to perform thousands of tasks, a stark contrast to specialized robots designed for a single function,” he explained. Apptronik’s strategy leverages data from its pilot deployments to continuously refine the Apollo’s operational capabilities and overall system performance.
A significant development preceding this funding announcement was Apptronik’s partnership with Google DeepMind. This collaboration integrates Google’s advanced Gemini Robotics AI models, enhancing Apollo’s cognitive and operational functionalities.
Apptronik’s innovative approach was recognized by its inclusion at number 33 on the 2025 CNBC Disruptor 50 list. The company’s roots trace back to the Human Centered Robotics Lab at the University of Texas, established in 2016, predating widespread industry focus on humanoid robotics. Apptronik has since grown to a workforce of 300 employees.
Looking ahead, the newly acquired capital will facilitate Apptronik’s expansion within Austin, the establishment of a new office in California later this year, and the scaling of its manufacturing infrastructure to support mass production.
In contrast to the often bold pronouncements of industry figures like Elon Musk, Cardenas adopts a more measured approach to public predictions. He refrained from specifying a precise timeline for widespread Apollo production or detailing the exact capabilities of the initial commercial units. Apptronik plans to unveil further details regarding the robot’s functionalities later this year.
Howard Morgan, a key investor, expressed strong confidence in Apptronik’s market potential, citing significant pre-existing demand for the Apollo robot. He anticipates orders reaching $1 billion by 2027, with the company projected to deliver Apollo units at a volume price point of approximately $80,000 per unit, comparable to the cost of a luxury vehicle.
“Consider the economics of a factory worker working multiple shifts, even on weekends,” Morgan elaborated. “An annual cost of $80,000 is remarkably competitive.” He also projected a hiring surge at Apptronik, expecting an additional 200 employees within the next year. Morgan emphasized the strategic timing of this funding round, stating, “The current excitement surrounding humanoid robotics necessitates securing substantial capital to ensure we are taken seriously by industry stakeholders. Our partnership with Google, a significant investor in AI, provides us with invaluable benefits.”
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