Apptronik is a U.S.-based technology company founded in 2016 in Austin, Texas, to develop advanced robotic solutions. The company focuses on producing general-purpose humanoid robots designed to work collaboratively with humans, addressing automation needs across various sectors. Through its development of diverse bipedal mobility platforms, humanoid upper-body robots, load-bearing systems, and fully integrated humanoid robots, Apptronik aims to enable safe and flexible operation in dynamic environments. Its most recent project, Apollo, is a general-purpose humanoid robot that integrates artificial intelligence and human-centered design to support a wide range of future industrial applications.

Foundation and Development

Apptronik was founded in 2016 in Austin, Texas, as a spin-off from the Human Centered Robotics Lab at the University of Texas at Austin. The company was established to develop general-purpose humanoid robots that can collaborate effectively with humans. Since its inception, Apptronik has been involved in both public and private sector projects, developing exoskeletons, humanoid torsos, bipedal mobility platforms, and industrial robotic arms. These experiences laid the groundwork for the development of Apollo, the company’s most advanced humanoid robot.

Products and Technologies

Apptronik’s flagship product is Apollo, a full-sized humanoid robot standing 5 feet 8 inches (about 1.73 meters) tall and weighing 160 pounds (about 73 kilograms). It can carry up to 55 pounds (approximately 25 kilograms). Apollo has amodular battery system that enables up to four hours of operation per pack and allows continuous work without the need for recharging. Its modular structure enables it to be used on stationary platforms, mounted on wheeled bases, or operated using bipedal locomotion. The robot is equipped with advanced force control architecture and intuitive LED notification systems to ensure safe human interaction and collaboration.

Apptronik has also developed various robotic platforms, including Astra, QDA, QDH, QDB, Draco II and III, Scorpio, Sagittarius, and Apex. Astra and QDA are humanoid upper-body robots designed for safe human collaboration. The Draco series focuses on dynamic walking and balance in bipedal motion platforms. Scorpio is a mobile manipulator that can lift loads heavier than its own weight while consuming minimal energy. Sagittarius and Apex are exoskeleton systems aimed at reducing physical strain on human operators during load-bearing tasks.

Additionally, Apptronik has played a significant role in NASA’s Valkyrie project, gaining experience through the development of liquid-cooled series elastic actuators and advanced control software.

Apollo Robot

Apollo is Apptronik’s most advanced general-purpose humanoid robot. Initially targeted for use in manufacturing and logistics, it is also intended for future integration into sectors such as construction, oil and gas, electronics manufacturing, retail, home delivery, elderly care, and domestic services. Its human-like dimensions and anatomy allow it to easily adapt to human environments and interact with existing tools.

Apollo is equipped with intuitive LED communication systems, advanced force control architecture, collision detection zones, rapid battery-swapping features, and software-defined task flexibility. It is also offered under a Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, enabling deployment during peak demand periods to augment human labor.

^{Apollo (Apptronik)}

Funding and Partnerships

In 2025, Apptronik completed a Series A funding round led by Capital Factory and B Capital, with participation from Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet. The $350 million raised was earmarked for scaling the production of Apollo and expanding its deployment across multiple industries.

In collaboration with Google DeepMind, Apptronik has integrated Gemini 2.0-based AI models into its robots. This integration aims to enable the robots to respond swiftly to environmental changes, operate flexibly in general contexts, and demonstrate advanced manual dexterity.

Additionally, Apptronik has entered a production and pilot deployment agreement with Jabil to scale global manufacturing. Apollo robots are undergoing testing at Jabil facilities, and large-scale production is being planned.

Use Cases and Industry Solutions

Apptronik’s robots are primarily designed for use in manufacturing and logistics operations, such as:

• Material transport
• Tote picking
• Palletizing
• Machine feeding
• Workstation delivery

Apollo is also capable of integrating with autonomous tuggers to facilitate intrafactory material transport without human intervention.

The company anticipates that trends such as reshoring and labor shortages in manufacturing will increase demand for humanoid robots. Apollo is expected not only to take over repetitive and low-value tasks but also to enable human workers to focus on more skilled labor.

Ethical Framework and Vision

Apptronik is committed to developing robotic technologies that work safely and effectively alongside humans. The company emphasizes safety, environmental compatibility, and process integration in industrial work environments. Its design philosophy focuses on increasing workforce efficiency by deploying robots for repetitive and physically demanding tasks, reducing physical strain on human workers.

Apptronik believes that as robotics transforms sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, retail, and caregiving, ethical and sustainable design solutions are essential. The development process prioritizes safety through force control, collision detection, and controlled motion systems, ensuring that robots do not pose a risk to human health. The company also designs its systems to be compatible with existing infrastructures and accessible to end users.