Apptronik

DeepMind’s latest robotics framework debuts three new models, expanding vision-language-action capabilities from isolated tabletop manipulation to full-body humanoid control, high-DoF tactile dexterity, and multi-agent coordination.

Eschewing the flashy, press-release-heavy reveals common in the robotics industry, Apptronik has silently updated its website to showcase Apollo 2, its next-generation modular humanoid platform built for scale and commercial deployment.

As major U.S. robotics firms shift from prototypes to mass production, a clear divide is emerging between the maturity of mechanical hardware and the intelligence of the AI driving it.

Apptronik has appointed former Waymo, Boston Dynamics, and Amazon leaders to its executive bench, signaling a strategic pivot toward mass-market commercialization and healthcare.

Apptronik CEO Jeff Cardenas details the company’s "pragmatic" roadmap for humanoid deployment, including wheeled variants and a three-phase plan for mass-market adoption.

Austin-based Apptronik has announced a $520 million extension to its Series A, bringing total capital to nearly $1 billion as it gears up for mass production of the Apollo humanoid and a new robot debut in 2026.

In a new behind-the-scenes look at the DeepMind robotics lab, leadership showcases "thinking" robots and long-horizon planning, but admits that data efficiency remains a critical hurdle before the technology is ready for the real world.

In a candid interview, Jeff Cardenas outlines the "mainframe to PC" shift in robotics, the geopolitical stakes between the U.S. and China, and why Apptronik’s nearly decade-long head start makes it hard for new entrants to catch up.

A definitive analysis of the humanoid robotics landscape in late 2025. We rank the highest-valued "pure-play" companies like Figure, Neura, and Unitree, and analyze the "proxy war" being waged by "Titans" like Tesla, Samsung, and Nvidia.

The Austin-based robotics firm is in advanced talks for a new funding round led by B Capital, just months after its $350M Series A, as it races to scale Apollo against heavily-funded rivals.

Google DeepMind has unveiled Gemini Robotics 1.5, a new AI framework designed to move robots beyond simple command-following to become 'physical agents' that can reason, plan, and learn skills across different hardware, like Apptronik's Apollo humanoid.

Google DeepMind has launched Gemini Robotics On-Device, an efficient vision-language-action model designed to run locally on robotic hardware. This development aims to reduce latency, improve robustness in varied environments, and enable advanced dexterous manipulation for a new generation of autonomous robots capable of fast task adaptation.

Apptronik, known for its Apollo humanoid, has announced Elevate Robotics, a new subsidiary dedicated to developing and commercializing industrial automation solutions that operate beyond human form factors and capabilities, aiming to redefine heavy-duty work.

Apptronik has been named to CNBC's 2025 Disruptor 50 list at #33, becoming the first humanoid robotics company to achieve this recognition. The selection highlights Apptronik's scalability, AI integration through its Apollo robot, a recent $350M Series A funding, and key partnerships, signaling the growing prominence of humanoid robots.

Two major robotics events, the Humanoids Summit in London and the Embodied Intelligence Developer Conference in Shanghai, are taking place simultaneously on May 29-30, 2025. London focuses on mass production and investment with key industry leaders, while Shanghai highlights strong policy support, talent development, and practical applications, underscoring a global acceleration in the humanoid robotics field.

A PatentVest analysis reveals a significant disconnect between venture capital funding and intellectual property defensibility among humanoid robotics startups, raising questions about long-term viability in a rapidly evolving market.

Soft Robotics Podcast host Marwa ElDiwiny and engineer Scott Walter dissect the rotary-vs-linear actuator debate shaping today’s humanoid robots—explaining why most builders favor compact rotary joints while others bet on planetary-roller-screw cylinders.

Apptronik CEO Jeff Cardenas discusses plans for new Apollo humanoid versions focusing on robustness and dexterity, leveraging strategic partnerships like a manufacturing deal with Jabil, and significant investor backing. The company emphasizes a 'Robots for Humans' approach, aiming for commercial viability by 2025 and meaningful industrial deployment from late 2026.

Investor Chris Camillo shares his conversion from humanoid robot skeptic to major believer, outlining his thesis that 'embodied AI' represents an 'infinite labor machine' set to transform industries like manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare. He discusses key players (Tesla, Figure, Apptronik), timelines (pilots now, scaling in 3-5 years, ubiquitous in 10-30), the RaaS business model, and potential economic impact, while cautioning against near-term hype.

Corporate venture capital investment in robotics startups surged 183% YoY in Q1 2024, reaching $1.3 billion across 34 deals. Driven by AI advancements and manufacturing needs like onshoring, corporations are investing both to supply components for and deploy next‑generation robots, most notably humanoids.

Figure CEO Brett Adcock refuted a Fast Company claim that his company uses planetary roller screws, stating Figure relies on rotary actuators. The dispute highlights a key design debate in humanoid robotics: direct rotary drive versus linear actuators (which use screws) with linkages, as detailed by expert Scott Walter.

US efforts to build a competitive humanoid robotics industry are facing complications from tariffs on Chinese goods. Many critical components for these advanced robots are sourced from China, and the new levies risk increasing costs and slowing US progress relative to state-supported Chinese firms.

Logistics giant GXO is piloting humanoid robots from Agility Robotics, Apptronik, and Reflex Robotics in its warehouses. While optimistic about their multi-task potential driven by AI, the company notes current limitations in dexterity and scale, using its facilities as 'labs' to provide feedback.

A new market report projects the global humanoid robot market will soar from $2.37 billion in 2023 to over $113 billion by 2033, driven by demand in caregiving, defense, and retail automation. While hardware and wheeled robots dominate now, software and bipedal models are expected to see the fastest growth. North America leads, but Asia-Pacific and Africa are poised for rapid expansion.