Apptronik

Apptronik, founded in 2016 as a spinout from the University of Texas at Austin's Human Centered Robotics Lab, specializes in creating humanoid robots designed to collaborate with humans in various industries. Their flagship product, Apollo, stands 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighs 160 pounds, and can lift up to 55 pounds. Apollo features a modular design with interchangeable mobility platforms, including bipedal legs for dynamic navigation, wheeled bases for efficiency, and stationary configurations. It operates on a four-hour battery life per pack, with hot-swappable batteries allowing continuous operation. The robot's design emphasizes safety, with features like adjustable perimeter zones and immediate movement pauses upon detecting objects in its impact radius. Apollo's intuitive software suite enables point-and-click control, facilitating seamless integration into warehouse and manufacturing operations. Apptronik's journey began with the development of over ten robots, including NASA's Valkyrie, culminating in Apollo's unveiling in August 2023. The company has secured significant partnerships, including a $350 million Series A funding round in February 2025, co-led by B Capital and Capital Factory, with participation from Google. This funding aims to scale Apollo's production and expand its applications across sectors such as logistics, retail, and aerospace. In March 2024, Mercedes-Benz integrated Apollo into its assembly line operations, marking a significant step in industrial automation. Apptronik's commitment to innovation has been recognized with awards like Fast Company's 2025 Innovation by Design Award in the Artificial Intelligence Design category. The company's strategic collaborations and technological advancements position it as a leader in the humanoid robotics sector, with Apollo serving as a versatile solution for tasks ranging from warehouse logistics to potential applications in space exploration.