Apptronik Secures $403 Million in Funding to Develop a Robot in Partnership with Google DeepMind
Apptronik Secures $403 Million in Series A Funding for Apollo Robot
Apptronik, a company specializing in AI-driven humanoid robotics, recently announced a significant achievement in their funding efforts. They successfully completed a Series A funding round, raising $403 million, which exceeded their initial target of $350 million by an extra $53 million. This funding will chiefly support the development of their humanoid robot, Apollo.
Key Investors and Market Confidence
The funding round was led by major venture capital firms B Capital and Capital Factory. Notable participants included tech giants such as Google and Mercedes-Benz, along with Japan Post Capital, ARK Invest, and Helium-3. The overwhelming interest from these investors underscores a strong market demand and high confidence in Apptronik’s innovative approach to robotics.
Jeff Cardenas, the CEO of Apptronik, emphasized the company’s 10-plus years of experience in humanoid robotics as a crucial factor that distinguishes them from competitors like Figure, 1X, and Tesla. This extensive background contributes to their understanding of how to effectively deploy humanoid robots in various industries.
Application of Humanoid Robots Across Diverse Industries
Apptronik is focused on implementing humanoid robots, particularly in logistics, with plans to expand into manufacturing and more. According to Yuta Ogura, Senior Manager at Japan Post Capital, the company’s strategy includes integrating humanoid robots into real-world environments. The long-term vision involves exploring applications in elder care, supermarket assistance, and healthcare, where the need for robotic support is rising.
Origins of Apptronik
The company originated from the Human Centered Robotics Lab at the University of Texas at Austin, where its early members participated in the NASA-DARPA Robotics Challenge. This challenge centered on developing humanoid robots like Valkyrie, demonstrating their commitment to cutting-edge robotic technology from the very beginning.
Collaboration with Google’s DeepMind
A significant partnership exists between Apptronik and Google’s DeepMind AI team, who collaborate on enhancing robot behavior models. Google has indicated that they are working with Apptronik to create the next generation of humanoid robots using their Gemini 2.0 AI models. Recently, Google showcased these advanced models, describing them as the most capable AI they have ever developed for robotics.
Recent Commercial Engagements
In the past year, Apptronik has secured important commercial partnerships with industry leaders such as Mercedes-Benz and GXO. These collaborations are pivotal for integrating their Apollo humanoid robot into various operations. Moreover, Apptronik is also collaborating with Nvidia to incorporate Apollo into Omniverse digital twin simulations, providing an advanced platform for testing and development.
Strategic Collaboration with Jabil
In February, Apptronik announced a strategic partnership with Jabil, focusing on manufacturing Apollo robots. This initiative aims to integrate Apollo into Jabil’s operations, potentially revolutionizing robotic automation in manufacturing settings. By employing Apollo robots in their facilities, Jabil may change the landscape of how future humanoid robots are built and utilized in production.
Apptronik’s advancements and significant funding underscore the growing potential of humanoid robots in today’s industries. With ongoing partnerships and a strong foundation of experience, the company is well-positioned to lead the way in robotic innovation.
