The race to build real-world humanoid robots is heating up. As AI moves from software into physical machines, companies are scrambling to scale production fast enough to meet industrial demand.
Manufacturing, logistics and retail operators are looking for automation that works alongside people, not replaces them.
Austin-based Apptronik has now secured it. The AI-powered robotics company announced a $520 million Series A-X extension, bringing its total Series A funding to more than $935 million.
Combined with previous raises, Apptronik has now secured nearly $1 billion in total capital. The new extension follows a $415 million oversubscribed Series A in 2025. The company decided to reopen the funding round due to strong investor demand, now valuing it at three times the original Series A amount.
Investors in the funding round include returning investors such as B Capital, Google, Mercedes-Benz, and PEAK6, as well as new investors such as AT&T Ventures, John Deere, and Qatar Investment Authority.
Where will the money go?
Apptronik plans to use the fresh capital to ramp up production of its flagship humanoid robot, Apollo, and expand global pilot and commercial deployments.
The funding will also support building advanced facilities for robot training and data collection, accelerating time to market, expanding retail, manufacturing and logistics use cases, as well as developing a new robot version set to debut in 2026
Apptronik has already signed partnerships with major brands, including Mercedes-Benz, GXO Logistics and Jabil. The company also has a strategic partnership with Google DeepMind to build next-generation humanoid robots powered by Gemini Robotics.
“Today’s investment is a strong vote of confidence in our mission to deliver humanoid robots that are designed to work alongside humans, not just as tools but as trusted collaborators,” said Jeff Cardenas, co-founder and CEO of Apptronik. “With the backing of our longstanding investors and strategic partners, we’re poised to unveil the newest version of Apollo and maximise the impact of embodied AI across industries. Together, we’re transforming workflows, reimagining factory floors, and writing a new chapter for next-generation humanoid robots that are designed and built to drive meaningful societal progress.”
Creating AI-powered robots
Apptronik is a robotics company focused on creating AI-powered robots to assist people in various areas of life. Their humanoid robot, Apollo, is built to work alongside humans in essential industries like manufacturing and logistics, with plans to expand into healthcare and home use.
Apollo represents nearly ten years of development and builds on Apptronik’s experience with 15 previous robots, including NASA’s Valkyrie. Founded at the University of Texas at Austin, Apptronik has around 300 employees.
Apollo is built for physically demanding industrial work. In manufacturing and logistics environments, the robot can transport components, sort materials, and handle repetitive operational tasks, all while working alongside human teams.
The long-term roadmap goes beyond factories. Apptronik plans to expand Apollo into retail, healthcare and eventually consumer home environments.
“Apptronik is setting the standard in embodied AI at scale,” said Howard Morgan, Chair and General Partner of B Capital. “At this pivotal moment, we’re proud to deepen our support as the team accelerates production and real-world deployment of AI-powered collaborators designed to work alongside people and reshape manufacturing, logistics and other mission-critical industries.”
