Feb 16, 2026
Apptronik Raises $520M to Scale Apollo Humanoid Robots
Backed by Google and Mercedes-Benz, Apptronik secures $520M to accelerate production of its Apollo humanoid robots and expand AI-powered automation into factories and beyond.
- Research and Breakthroughs
Humanoid robotics startup Apptronik has secured $520 million in a Series A extension funding round with participation from major backers including Google and Mercedes‑Benz, valuing the company at approximately $5 billion.
The Austin, Texas–based company plans to use the fresh capital to develop new versions of its Apollo humanoid robot and ramp up production and expand its workforce beyond 300 employees.
Apptronik aims to accelerate the deployment of humanoid robots in manufacturing and logistics this year and next, with longer‑term ambitions in assisted care and home‑use applications. The company’s partnership with Google DeepMind will deepen Gemini‑based AI integration on the Apollo platform, combining advanced AI with real‑world robotics training data.
Apptronik was founded in 2016 as a spin‑out from the University of Texas, tracing its roots to early work on NASA’s Valkyrie humanoid robot program, and is positioning itself amid a broader industry race involving competitors like Tesla‑backed Figure AI.
🔗 Reference: Humanoid startup Apptronik raises $520 million with backing from Google and Mercedes‑Benz – Reuters
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