Mercedes-Benz ups investment in Austin-based humanoid robotics company Apptronik
Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to use an Austin startup's humanoid robots in its manufacturing lines.
The German auto company is leading a $53 million investment in Austin-based Apptronik's latest Series A funding round, joined by Japan Post Capital, ARK Invest, Helium-3, Magnetar, RyderVentures, and a syndicate led by Korea Investment Partners. This investment adds to Apptronik's previously announced $350 million round led by B Capital, Capital Factory, and Google.
More: Austin-based humanoid robotics company Apptronik secures $350M in additional funding
Thanks to the most recent investment, Apptronik's previously announced series A funding round has risen to $403 million, making it one of the largest funding rounds for the company.
With the most recent investment, Mercedes — which was one of the first companies to explore applications of Apptronik's humanoid robot, Apollo — is testing the humanoid robots for tasks like moving components to the production line or carrying out quality checks in its manufacturing lines.
The Apollo robots are five feet, eight inches tall, 160 pounds and can carry 55 pounds. They operate on swappable batteries.
'We are relentlessly focused on pushing the boundaries of what's possible in automotive innovation — not only in the cars we design, but in how we build them,' said Jörg Burzer, a member of the board of management at Mercedes-Benz Group AG. 'Our work with Apptronik has given us a front-row seat to the incredible pace of progress in humanoid robotics and AI, and the transformative potential these technologies hold for modern manufacturing."
Apptronik was founded in 2016 as a spinoff from the Human Centered Robotics Lab at the University of Texas. Since then, it has raced companies like Elon Musk's Tesla to scale production of AI-powered humanoid robots.
More: From science fiction to reality: Austin's Apptronik humanoid robot
Earlier this month, Apptronik announced a strategic partnership with Google DeepMind to build the next generation of human-like robots. Apptronik, with commercial engagements with Mercedes and GXO, also collaborates with tech companies like Nvidia and supply chain solutions company Jabil to leverage Apollo.
'We're building a future where humanoid robots are not just tools, but trusted collaborators working seamlessly alongside people — starting in logistics, manufacturing and retail, and eventually expanding into elder care, disaster response and healthcare,' Apptronik co-founder and CEO Jeff Cardenas said in a statement. 'This investment is far more than capital — it's the foundation for strategic relationships that will accelerate Apollo's path to scaled production and broaden the reach and impact of humanoid robotics across the global economy.'
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Mercedes-Benz leads latest investment in Austin-based Apptronik
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