Apptronik’s Scorpio cellular manipulator makes use of patented gravity compensation know-how to elevate greater than it weighs. | Supply: Apptronik
Apptronik, the Texas-based developer behind the Apollo humanoid, as we speak launched Elevate Robotics. This wholly-owned subsidiary will deal with automating industrial duties past the bounds of the human kind, Apptronik mentioned.
“We based Apptronik to construct general-purpose robots that empower people. On our path to realizing this mission, we’ve developed all types of groundbreaking robotics know-how for humanoid robots and past,” mentioned Jeff Cardenas, Apptronik co-founder and CEO. “Elevate shares Apptronik’s core, human-centered DNA and imaginative and prescient of constructing robots to assist humanity, and so they’re making use of novel know-how to deal with heavy-duty duties in varied sectors.”
Apptronik mentioned its Apollo humanoid was the results of a decade of growth. Throughout this time, the corporate constructed greater than 15 robotics methods and made quite a few vital technological developments. These included exoskeletons, upper-body humanoid robots, biped mobility platforms, cellular manipulators, and distinctive robotic arms that elevate greater than they weigh, for instance.
Save now with early fowl low cost
Whereas Apptronik mentioned it’ll proceed specializing in Apollo and humanoid robotics, Elevate will deal with heavy-duty, industrial-scale work. Apptronik mentioned the subsidiary will commercialize a multipurpose automation answer outdoors of the humanoid kind issue.
Elevate will function independently and be led by CEO Paul Hvass, beforehand a co-founder at Plus One Robotics.
“With a world-class crew assembled, Elevate Robotics is well-positioned to broaden the probabilities of industrial-scale work with superhuman robotics,” continued Cardenas. “The Apptronik crew is happy to see the world-changing influence of Elevate’s improvements.”
Apptronik to leverage $403M in funding to deploy Apollo
Apptronik earlier this 12 months raised $403 million in Sequence A funding to assist gas Apollo manufacturing. The firm is focusing on plenty of key industries, together with automotive, electronics manufacturing, third-party logistics, beverage bottling and achievement, and shopper packaged items.
Apptronik presently has agreements with Mercedes-Benz and GXO Logistics to check Apollo in real-world functions. It’s additionally working with Google DeepMind to take a look at the corporate’s Gemini AI fashions.
The humanoid market has change into more and more crowded in recent times. Regardless of the variety of robots which have appeared in the marketplace and the excessive investments they’ve attracted, business deployments have been sluggish. The primary deployments got here in 2024 when GXO formally deployed a “small fleet” of Digit humanoids from Agility Robotics at a Spanx facility in Georgia. Later, Schaeffler AG made a minority funding in Agility and deliberate to purchase Digit robots to be used throughout its international plant community.
Determine AI can be delivery its Determine 02 system to its first paying prospects. And Hyundai Motor Group has plans to buy hundreds of Boston Dynamics’ Atlas robots within the coming years.
