AUSTIN, 11 February 2026 – Humanoid robotics startup Apptronik has secured US$520 million (RM2.5 billion) in fresh funding to accelerate development and production of its artificial intelligence-powered robots, underscoring intensifying investor confidence in humanoid robotics as the next frontier of automation and artificial intelligence.
The latest funding round, backed by major global investors including Google, Mercedes-Benz, B Capital, and the Qatar Investment Authority, values the Texas-based company at approximately US$5 billion, placing it among the most highly valued humanoid robotics firms globally.
The capital injection reflects surging global interest in humanoid robots as industries increasingly look to automation to address labour shortages, boost productivity, and enhance operational efficiency.
Funding to Accelerate Production and Advance Apollo Humanoid Robot
Apptronik plans to deploy the funds to enhance its flagship Apollo humanoid robot, expand manufacturing capacity, and grow its workforce beyond its current headcount of more than 300 employees.
The company is also investing in a dedicated robot training and data collection facility in Austin, alongside plans to open a new office in California to support scaling operations and accelerating technological development.
Apollo is designed primarily for industrial applications, particularly in manufacturing and logistics environments, where humanoid robots can perform repetitive or physically demanding tasks traditionally handled by human workers.
Apptronik expects deployments of its robots across factories and warehouses to increase significantly over the next two years as adoption accelerates globally.
Strategic Partnerships with Global Technology and Industrial Leaders
The company has already secured commercial agreements with Mercedes-Benz and GXO Logistics, demonstrating early commercial validation of its humanoid robotics platform.
Mercedes-Benz has been testing Apptronik’s robots within its manufacturing operations to automate logistics, component handling, and repetitive assembly tasks.
Apptronik is also collaborating with Google DeepMind to integrate advanced AI models into its robots, enabling enhanced autonomy, learning capabilities, and real-world adaptability.
This combination of advanced robotics hardware and artificial intelligence software positions Apptronik at the forefront of the rapidly evolving humanoid robotics sector.
Humanoid Robotics Emerging as Major Investment Theme in AI Economy
The funding comes amid a surge in global investment into humanoid robotics, driven by rapid advances in artificial intelligence and growing demand for automation across industries.
Apptronik’s latest round brings its total capital raised close to US$1 billion, highlighting strong investor confidence in the commercial potential of humanoid robots.
The company, founded in 2016 as a spin-off from the University of Texas and inspired by NASA robotics research, is positioning itself as a key competitor in a fast-growing industry alongside firms such as Figure AI and Tesla.
Humanoid robots are expected to play a transformative role in industries including:
- Manufacturing
- Logistics and warehousing
- Healthcare and elder care
- Retail and service industries
Longer term, Apptronik plans to expand its robots into home and assisted-care environments, further broadening market potential.
Strategic Outlook: Humanoid Robots Emerging as Core Infrastructure of AI Economy
The latest funding round highlights how humanoid robotics is rapidly emerging as a key pillar of the artificial intelligence ecosystem, alongside cloud computing, semiconductors, and data infrastructure.
As companies increasingly deploy AI-powered humanoid robots to address labour shortages and enhance productivity, the sector is expected to experience rapid growth over the next decade.
For investors, Apptronik’s funding milestone reinforces the growing convergence between robotics and artificial intelligence, with humanoid robots potentially becoming a foundational technology in future industrial and economic systems.
The global race to develop commercially viable humanoid robots is intensifying, and companies that successfully scale production and deployment could become major beneficiaries of the AI-driven industrial transformation.
