Earlier this month, AI Insider reported that Apptronik had secured a staggering $350 million in Series A funding, a major milestone for the company developing AI-powered humanoid robots. On the back of that, co-founder and CEO Jeff Cardenas shed more light on what this funding means, the role of AI in robotics and how Apptronik stacks up against fierce competition.
“The news is we’ve raised $350 million to scale up AI-powered humanoid robots,” Cardenas said in a recent interview. “What’s happening in robotics is that, with the power of AI, robots are becoming much more versatile.” He described this moment as a tipping point — one where years of development are finally bringing humanoid robots closer to widespread deployment.
The Austin-based company, which traces its roots back to NASA, is initially focusing on industrial applications, partnering with major players like Mercedes-Benz and logistics firm GXO. But Cardenas makes it clear that the vision extends far beyond the warehouse.
“As the robots get better and we start to solve safety, they become more affordable,” said Cardenas. “They’ll start to enter the home in areas like health care and elder care, which I’m particularly passionate about.”
Cost is a major factor in humanoid adoption, and Apptronik has been refining its technology to bring prices down. While Tesla’s Optimus robot is often cited as a major competitor, Cardenas remains confident in Apptronik’s progress.
“I think we’re right there in the race. Our investors are really backing us and think that we have a real shot at winning,” he asserted.
With AI advancing rapidly, Apptronik is collaborating with Google DeepMind to enhance its robots’ capabilities.
“We’re really pushing forward the boundaries of what these robots can do,” Cardenas noted, hinting at more developments to come throughout the year.
The $350 million funding round is more than just a financial boost — it’s a declaration that humanoid robots are moving from research labs into the real world. As Cardenas puts it, “This round represents an inflection point, not only for us but for the industry, to get these robots out into the world in a big way.”
