Apptronik's $350M Boost for Robot Apollo

Apptronik, a Texas-based AI-powered humanoid robotics company, has secured a $350 million Series A funding round co-led by B Capital and Capital Factory, with participation from Google. Founded in 2016 and spun out from the University of Texas, the company has a history of collaboration with NASA and has developed multiple robotic systems, including Valkyrie. This investment will be used to develop and scale their humanoid robot, Apollo, designed for industrial applications and potential future use in healthcare and homes. CEO Jeff Cardenas views this funding as an 'inflection point' for bringing versatile humanoid robots into various sectors, competing against industry players like Tesla. Apptronik aims to transition from pilot projects with firms like Mercedes-Benz to broader commercialization by 2026, leveraging its long-standing expertise in humanoid robotics. This substantial investment marks one of the largest in Austin's history, underscoring the growing interest in robotics fueled by advances in AI.