Apptronik Raises $520 Million Series A Extension at $5 Billion Valuation With Backing From Google and Mercedes-Benz

Humanoid robotics startup Apptronik has secured a massive $520 million Series A extension, bringing its valuation to approximately $5 billion and reinforcing its position as one of the most serious contenders in the race to commercialize human-scale robots. The round includes backing from Google and Mercedes-Benz, alongside participation from B Capital and the Qatar Investment Authority.

The Austin-based company plans to use the new capital to accelerate development of its Apollo humanoid robot, scale manufacturing, expand its workforce beyond 300 employees, and establish a dedicated robot training and data collection facility in Texas, along with a California office.

From NASA Roots to Industrial Deployments

Founded in 2016 as a spinout from the University of Texas, Apptronik traces its origins to early work on NASA’s Valkyrie humanoid robot. That heritage shows in its engineering philosophy: build robots that operate in environments designed for humans, rather than redesigning the environment around machines.

Its flagship robot, Apollo, is designed for manufacturing and logistics environments. Unlike traditional industrial robots that are fixed in place or designed for a single repetitive task, Apollo is human-scale and mobile. It combines bipedal movement with wheels, allowing it to navigate efficiently across factory floors while still accessing workstations, shelving, and tools built for people.

Apptronik already has commercial agreements with Mercedes-Benz and GXO Logistics, focusing first on warehouse and factory use cases. Over time, the company aims to expand into assisted care and potentially home applications — a far more complex and competitive frontier.

Competing With Tesla and Figure Robotics

The humanoid robotics field has quickly become one of the most high-profile battlegrounds in AI and advanced manufacturing.

Tesla’s Optimus program is perhaps the most widely recognized humanoid effort. Tesla is leveraging its expertise in AI, computer vision, and large-scale manufacturing to build a robot capable of performing repetitive industrial tasks. Optimus is still in development, but Tesla’s ambition is long-term and sweeping — positioning humanoids as a future pillar of its business.

Meanwhile, Figure AI has emerged as another heavyweight, recently commanding a valuation far above most peers. Backed by major technology investors, Figure is focused on building general-purpose humanoids capable of reasoning and adapting to varied environments. The company has leaned heavily into advanced AI integration and rapid iteration.

Apptronik’s strategy sits between these two approaches. It is pursuing commercial deployments now, particularly in manufacturing and logistics, while simultaneously investing in advanced AI capabilities to expand long-term functionality. Rather than framing the robot as a distant, generalized household assistant, Apptronik is anchoring Apollo in immediate industrial value creation.

Its more modest valuation relative to some peers also suggests investors see significant upside potential as deployments scale.

Deepening Its Partnership With Google DeepMind

A key differentiator for Apptronik is its deepening partnership with Google DeepMind. Rather than simply licensing software, the collaboration centers on co-developing Gemini-based AI models tailored specifically for embodied robotics.

Apptronik provides the physical platform and real-world deployment data. Google DeepMind contributes advanced artificial intelligence models capable of perception, reasoning, and decision-making. This integration is critical: humanoid robots must not only move safely and precisely but also interpret dynamic environments and respond appropriately in real time.

By combining hardware innovation with state-of-the-art AI systems, Apptronik is positioning Apollo as more than a mechanical automation tool. The aim is embodied intelligence — machines that can learn from physical experience and adapt to real-world complexity.

Scaling Toward Broader Adoption

With $520 million in fresh capital, Apptronik is accelerating its roadmap. The company expects expanded deployments in factories and warehouses over the next year, alongside increased investment in training infrastructure and workforce expansion.

The broader race to commercialize humanoid robots is still in its early innings. Manufacturing and logistics represent the most practical starting point, where structured environments and labor shortages create immediate demand. If Apptronik can prove reliable, cost-effective performance at scale, it could establish itself as one of the defining companies in the sector.

As Tesla, Figure AI, and other contenders push forward, Apptronik’s blend of NASA-inspired engineering, industrial partnerships, and deep AI collaboration with Google places it firmly among the leaders shaping the future of humanoid robotics.