Apptronik Apollo Review: Price, Specs & Real-World Performance [2026]

The Apptronik Apollo is one of the most commercially advanced humanoid robots on the market in 2026. Backed by over $400 million in Series A funding from Google, Mercedes-Benz, and ARK Invest—and valued at $5 billion—Apollo has moved beyond the prototype stage into real factory floors with some of the world's biggest manufacturers.

In this comprehensive Apptronik Apollo review, we break down every detail that matters: verified specs, real-world deployment results, AI capabilities, pricing, and how it stacks up against competitors like the Figure 02 and Tesla Optimus. Whether you're evaluating humanoid robots for your warehouse, manufacturing line, or logistics operation, this is the most thorough analysis you'll find.

Apptronik Apollo at a Glance: Key Specs Summary

Before diving deep, here's a quick snapshot of what Apollo brings to the table:

Company Background: Who Is Apptronik?

Apptronik was founded in 2016 by Jeffrey Cardenas, Nicholas Paine, and Bill Helmsing, all alumni of the Human Centered Robotics Laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin. The company has deep roots in advanced robotics—notably, the team built NASA's Valkyrie humanoid robot, giving them rare expertise in full-size bipedal systems.

Before Apollo, Apptronik built over 10 previous robot platforms, iterating on locomotion, manipulation, and human-robot interaction. That experience culminated in Apollo, which was publicly unveiled in August 2023 as the company's first commercial-grade humanoid.

The company's trajectory accelerated dramatically in 2025:

• February 2025: Raised $350 million Series A co-led by B Capital and Capital Factory, with participation from Google
• March 2025: Closed additional funding bringing the total Series A to $403 million, with Mercedes-Benz, Japan Post Capital, and ARK Invest joining
• November 2025: Valuation reached $5 billion following a new funding round
• Total funding in 12 months: Over $1 billion

This makes Apptronik one of the best-funded humanoid robotics companies on Earth, alongside Figure AI and Tesla's Optimus program.

Design and Build Quality

Aesthetics That Work in a Factory

Apollo's design philosophy is deliberately approachable. Unlike the dark, industrial look of many competitors, Apollo features a bright white and grey shell with soft curves and expressive LED eyes. TechCrunch's Brian Heater described it as "bright and almost cartoony, with a pair of big eyes and a head shape that brings back warm memories of early iMacs."

This isn't just cosmetic. In manufacturing environments where humans and robots work side by side, an approachable design reduces worker anxiety and friction during adoption. Apptronik collaborated with design firm Argo to create Apollo's face, which uses LED expressions to communicate status, mood, and feedback to nearby workers.

Human-Scale Proportions

At 5'8" and 160 lbs, Apollo deliberately mirrors the proportions of an average adult human. This means it can navigate spaces designed for people—doorways, aisles, workstations, staircases—without requiring facility modifications. This is a critical advantage over specialized industrial robots that often need custom infrastructure.

Modular Architecture

One of Apollo's most underrated features is its modular platform design. The humanoid upper body can be combined with different bases:

• Bipedal legs – Full mobility for dynamic environments
• Wheeled base – Faster, more efficient for flat warehouse floors
• Stationary pedestal – Fixed workstation applications

This modularity lets businesses customize Apollo for their specific use case without buying entirely different robots. A logistics company might deploy the wheeled version for efficiency, while a manufacturing plant could use the bipedal version for navigating complex floor layouts.

Interactive Chest Display

Apollo features a touch-enabled display on its chest that shows identity, operating mode, current task, battery level, and system status. This provides at-a-glance information for workers nearby and enables quick configuration changes without needing a separate computer terminal.

Hardware and Specifications Deep Dive

Proprietary Linear Actuators

Apollo's most significant engineering innovation is its use of proprietary electric linear actuators instead of conventional rotary joints and motors. This design choice delivers several advantages:

• Reduced mechanical complexity – Fewer gears and transmission components mean fewer points of failure
• Improved efficiency – Direct linear motion translates force more efficiently for lifting and pushing tasks
• Lower cost at scale – Simpler mechanisms are easier and cheaper to mass-manufacture
• Better force control – Enables more precise and compliant movements for safe human interaction

With 71 degrees of freedom across its entire body, Apollo achieves impressive dexterity. For context, the human body has approximately 244 degrees of freedom, while most competing humanoids offer 30-50.

Hot-Swappable Battery System

Apollo's battery system is one of its strongest practical features. Each battery pack delivers approximately 4 hours of continuous operation. Critically, the batteries are hot-swappable—a worker or automated station can replace a depleted battery in minutes without shutting down the robot.

This means Apollo can theoretically operate up to 22 hours per day (with brief battery swap intervals), compared to competitors that require extended plug-in charging cycles. For 24/7 manufacturing operations, this translates directly to higher utilization and ROI.

Payload and Manipulation

Apollo's 55 lb (25 kg) payload capacity is among the highest in the current humanoid robot landscape. For context:

This payload is sufficient for the vast majority of warehouse and logistics tasks—picking up totes, moving boxes, handling assembly kits, and palletizing smaller items.

Compute Platform

Apollo runs on dual NVIDIA compute modules:

• NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin – 275 TOPS of AI performance for primary decision-making and perception
• NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX – Secondary module for sensor fusion and real-time control

This combination provides the processing power needed for real-time environment mapping, object recognition, path planning, and the execution of learned behaviors from NVIDIA's GR00T foundation models.

AI and Software Capabilities

NVIDIA Project GR00T Integration

Apollo's AI stack is powered by NVIDIA's Project GR00T (Generalist Robot 00 Technology), a foundation model specifically designed for humanoid robots. This integration enables Apollo to:

• Learn from human demonstrations – Watch a worker perform a task, then replicate it
• Interpret multimodal inputs – Understand text commands, video instructions, and real-time sensor data
• Generalize skills – Apply learned coordination and dexterity patterns to new, similar tasks
• Predict next actions – Use environmental context to anticipate what needs to happen next

This is a significant leap from traditional industrial robots that require precise programming for every movement. With GR00T, Apollo can potentially learn a new warehouse picking routine in hours rather than the days or weeks needed for conventional robot programming.

Point-and-Click Control Software

Apptronik's software suite provides an accessible control interface that doesn't require robotics expertise. Key features include:

• Point-and-click task deployment – Select tasks from a library and assign them to individual robots or fleets
• Fleet management – Coordinate multiple Apollo units operating in the same facility
• Digital twin integration – Compatible with NVIDIA Omniverse for simulation and optimization before physical deployment
• Over-the-air updates – Software improvements and new skills can be pushed remotely

Safety Intelligence

Apollo's AI includes a layered safety system:

• Safety zones – Apollo detects objects in its vicinity and automatically adjusts speed and behavior
• Impact zones – When a moving object enters a defined close-proximity radius, Apollo halts completely
• Collision avoidance – Real-time path replanning to avoid obstacles
• Emergency shutdown – Physical button prominently placed and accessible for immediate stop

Real-World Applications and Deployments

What separates Apollo from many competitors is that it has moved beyond demos into actual commercial engagements. Here are the confirmed deployments and partnerships as of early 2026:

Mercedes-Benz (Automotive Manufacturing)

Apptronik's flagship partnership began in March 2024 when Mercedes-Benz entered a commercial agreement to pilot Apollo in its manufacturing facilities. Apollo robots perform:

• Delivering assembly kits to production line workers
• Inspecting vehicle components
• Moving parts through the production process
• Transporting totes of kitted parts between stations

Mercedes-Benz subsequently increased its investment in Apptronik during the March 2025 Series A extension, signaling confidence in the pilot results. Jeff Cardenas noted: "Apollo is designed to be a versatile and scalable solution for the future of work, particularly in the automotive industry where precision and reliability are paramount."

Jabil (Electronics Manufacturing + Robot Production)

In February 2025, Apptronik announced a dual-purpose partnership with Jabil, the global electronics manufacturing giant:

1. Manufacturing partner: Jabil will help scale production of Apollo robots using its supply chain expertise
2. Deployment customer: Apollo robots will be integrated into Jabil's own manufacturing operations

This partnership is particularly noteworthy because it creates a path toward Apollo robots building more Apollo robots—a critical milestone for scaling humanoid robot production to meet demand.

GXO Logistics (Warehouse Automation)

GXO Logistics, the world's largest pure-play contract logistics provider, launched a multi-phase R&D initiative with Apptronik in 2024. The program began with laboratory testing to fine-tune Apollo's AI models before deploying to a GXO distribution center in the United States.

This is GXO's second humanoid robot partnership (following its work with Agility Robotics' Digit), indicating that major logistics companies see real value in humanoid form factors for warehouse operations.

Target Industries

Based on confirmed partnerships and stated roadmap, Apollo's deployment targets include:

Performance Analysis

What Apollo Does Well

Gross manipulation tasks are Apollo's current strength. Moving boxes, crates, totes, and assembly kits—the bread and butter of warehouse and manufacturing logistics—is where Apollo performs most capably. The 25 kg payload capacity handles the majority of items workers encounter in these environments.

Operational uptime is a genuine competitive advantage. The hot-swappable battery system means Apollo can work through full shifts with minimal downtime. In a 24/7 manufacturing facility, this translates to significantly higher utilization compared to robots requiring hours-long charging breaks.

Smooth, controlled movement has been confirmed by hands-on press coverage. TechCrunch noted that "Apollo's movements were smooth, and the robot even hammed it up for the camera" during the CES 2025 demonstration.

Current Limitations

Autonomy is still developing. The CES 2025 demo was teleoperated—"this was not the intelligent, autonomous version of the robot set to be deployed in factories," TechCrunch clarified. Full autonomous operation in dynamic, unstructured environments remains a work in progress.

Fine manipulation is limited. Apollo currently excels at gross manipulation (picking up boxes) but more intricate tasks requiring finger-level dexterity are not yet demonstrated at production quality. The hand specifications have not been publicly detailed, suggesting this remains an area of active development.

Walking speed is modest. At 3.4 km/h maximum, Apollo is slower than a brisk human walk (~5-6 km/h). For large warehouse environments, this could impact throughput. However, the wheeled base option partially addresses this for flat-floor applications.

Pricing and Availability

Apptronik CEO Jeff Cardenas has stated a target price of under $50,000 per unit at scale. This is an ambitious target that would make Apollo competitive with the total cost of employing a warehouse worker for roughly one year (including benefits, insurance, and overhead).

Current pricing for early commercial units is not publicly disclosed but is likely significantly higher than the $50,000 target as production volumes are still ramping. The Jabil manufacturing partnership is specifically designed to bring costs down through supply chain optimization and volume production.

Pricing Context

For businesses considering Apollo, the key financial question is total cost of ownership over 3-5 years compared to human labor costs. At $50,000 with 22-hour daily operation, minimal sick days, and no benefits costs, the ROI math becomes compelling for high-volume operations—especially in regions with acute labor shortages.

Interested in purchasing? View the Apptronik Apollo on Robozaps for the latest pricing and availability information.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Hot-swappable batteries enable near-continuous 22-hour daily operation—a genuine operational advantage
• 25 kg payload capacity is among the highest in the humanoid robot space
• Modular base design (legs, wheels, or pedestal) provides flexibility across use cases
• NVIDIA GR00T AI integration enables learning from demonstrations rather than hard-coded programming
• Proven commercial partnerships with Mercedes-Benz, Jabil, and GXO validate real-world demand
• Approachable design reduces friction for human-robot collaboration adoption
• NASA Valkyrie heritage means the team has deep bipedal robotics expertise
• $5 billion valuation and $1B+ funding ensure long-term R&D and production investment
• 71 degrees of freedom provide excellent whole-body dexterity
• Point-and-click software doesn't require robotics expertise to operate

Cons

• Full autonomy is still maturing—current demos are largely teleoperated or limited autonomous
• Walking speed (3.4 km/h) is slower than human pace, potentially limiting throughput
• Fine manipulation capabilities are unproven for tasks requiring finger dexterity
• Current pricing likely exceeds $50,000 target until production scales
• Limited public performance data—no independent benchmark results published
• Hand specifications not fully disclosed, making manipulation assessment difficult
• Primarily gross manipulation focus—not yet suited for delicate or precision assembly
• Operational reliability at scale is unproven—pilot data is limited

How Apptronik Apollo Compares to the Competition

The humanoid robot market has exploded in 2025-2026. Here's how Apollo stacks up against the leading alternatives:

Apollo vs. Figure 02

Figure 02 is Apollo's closest competitor. Both target manufacturing and logistics, both have partnerships with major automakers (Mercedes-Benz vs. BMW), and both offer similar payloads. Apollo's advantages include hot-swappable batteries, more degrees of freedom (71 vs. ~41), and the NVIDIA GR00T platform. Figure 02 counters with a lighter frame and reportedly faster walking speed. For a deeper comparison of humanoid robot options, see our best humanoid robots roundup.

Apollo vs. Tesla Optimus

Tesla Optimus has the advantage of Tesla's massive manufacturing scale, vertically integrated AI (derived from Full Self-Driving), and an aggressively low target price of $20,000-$30,000. However, Optimus remains in internal testing with no commercial partnerships, while Apollo is already operating in Mercedes-Benz and Jabil facilities. For a direct comparison, read our Tesla Optimus vs. Apptronik Apollo analysis.

Apollo vs. Agility Digit

Agility's Digit is a non-traditional humanoid (no head, backward-bending legs) focused on logistics. It has Amazon as its anchor partner. Apollo offers a more conventional humanoid form, higher payload (25 kg vs. 16 kg), and hot-swappable batteries. Digit counters with faster movement speed and a longer track record of warehouse operation.

Who Should Consider the Apptronik Apollo?

Apollo is best suited for:

• Large manufacturers with repetitive material handling needs and labor shortages (automotive, electronics, CPG)
• Third-party logistics providers operating high-volume distribution centers
• Companies already using automation that want to extend into human-designed spaces without facility modifications
• Enterprises with NVIDIA ecosystem investments that can leverage Omniverse digital twins for simulation
• Organizations willing to invest in pilot programs with a 2-3 year ROI horizon

Apollo is not yet ideal for:

• Small businesses with limited automation budgets
• Applications requiring high-precision fine manipulation or dexterous assembly
• Environments needing full autonomous operation without human oversight
• Home or consumer applications (though this is on the long-term roadmap)

Awards and Industry Recognition

Apollo has earned notable recognition in the industry:

• Fast Company 2025 Innovation by Design Award winner
• Featured at CES 2025 alongside Texas Instruments' booth
• Appeared alongside other leading humanoids during NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang's keynote
• Selected by Mercedes-Benz as its first humanoid robot manufacturing partner

The Investment Picture

For those evaluating Apptronik as an investment opportunity or trying to gauge the company's longevity, the numbers are compelling:

• $403M Series A (February-March 2025) – one of the largest Series A rounds in robotics history
• $5 billion valuation (November 2025)
• Over $1 billion total funding in 12 months
• Investors include: Google, Mercedes-Benz, ARK Invest, Japan Post Capital, B Capital, Capital Factory

This funding runway gives Apptronik significant resources to iterate on hardware, scale manufacturing with Jabil, and invest in AI capabilities—reducing the risk of the company running out of capital before achieving commercial viability.

What's Next for Apollo in 2026 and Beyond

Based on Apptronik's stated roadmap and funding trajectory:

• 2026: Scale commercial production with Jabil; expand beyond pilot programs to full-fleet deployments
• 2026-2027: Graduate from gross manipulation to more complex tasks including fine manipulation and multi-step operations
• 2027+: Expand into construction, healthcare, elder care, and potentially consumer markets
• Long-term: Achieve sub-$50,000 price point and deploy at mass scale across industries

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Apptronik Apollo cost?

Apptronik has stated a target price of under $50,000 per unit at scale. Current pricing for early commercial units is not publicly disclosed and likely higher as production ramps up through 2026. Visit Robozaps for the latest pricing information.

What can the Apptronik Apollo robot do?

Apollo is designed for logistics and manufacturing tasks including picking and placing boxes, delivering assembly kits, inspecting components, palletizing, and warehouse material handling. It can lift up to 55 lbs (25 kg) and operate for 4 hours per battery pack, with hot-swappable batteries enabling up to 22 hours of daily operation.

How tall and heavy is the Apptronik Apollo?

Apollo stands 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall and weighs 160 lbs (72.5 kg), roughly matching the proportions of an average adult human. This allows it to navigate spaces designed for people without facility modifications.

Who is currently using the Apptronik Apollo?

Mercedes-Benz is piloting Apollo in its automotive manufacturing facilities. Jabil is both manufacturing Apollo units and deploying them in its own electronics manufacturing operations. GXO Logistics has a multi-phase R&D initiative to deploy Apollo in warehouses.

How long does the Apollo battery last?

Each hot-swappable battery pack provides approximately 4 hours of runtime. Because the batteries are swappable without shutting down the robot, Apollo can operate up to 22 hours per day with quick battery changes—a significant advantage over competitors requiring extended plug-in charging.

Is the Apptronik Apollo better than Tesla Optimus?

Apollo and Tesla Optimus serve different stages of market readiness. Apollo is further along in commercial deployments with partners like Mercedes-Benz, Jabil, and GXO, and offers a higher 25 kg payload and 71 degrees of freedom. Tesla Optimus has the advantage of Tesla's massive manufacturing scale and an aggressively low target price of $20,000-$30,000, but remains in internal testing with no outside commercial partners.

How many degrees of freedom does the Apollo have?

Apollo has 71 degrees of freedom overall, significantly more than most competitors (Figure 02 has ~41, Tesla Optimus ~28). This enables highly dexterous whole-body movements across its arms, hands, torso, and legs.

When will Apptronik Apollo be widely available?

Apptronik is targeting commercial-scale deployment in 2026. Pilot programs with Mercedes-Benz, Jabil, and GXO began in 2024-2025. The company's $1B+ in funding and Jabil manufacturing partnership are designed to rapidly scale production to meet growing customer demand.

What AI technology does the Apollo use?

Apollo runs on NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin and Jetson Orin NX computing modules, providing 275+ TOPS of AI performance. It leverages NVIDIA's Project GR00T foundation models to learn from human demonstrations, interpret text and video commands, and execute complex tasks with increasing autonomy.

Can Apollo work safely alongside humans?

Yes. Apollo features layered safety systems including collision avoidance, configurable safety zones that adjust behavior when objects are detected, an impact zone that halts all movement, and a prominent emergency shutdown button. It was specifically designed for safe human-robot collaboration in shared workspaces.

Verdict: Our Apptronik Apollo Rating

Overall Score: 4.2 / 5

The Apptronik Apollo earns a strong 4.2 out of 5 in our assessment. It is among the most commercially mature humanoid robots available in 2026, with real factory deployments, massive funding, and thoughtful engineering that prioritizes practical value over flashy demos.

Where Apollo excels: Hot-swappable batteries, high payload, modular design, approachable aesthetics, and a clear commercial deployment roadmap backed by world-class partners. The 71 degrees of freedom and NVIDIA GR00T AI platform give it a strong foundation for increasingly complex tasks.

Where Apollo needs improvement: Walking speed, fine manipulation, full autonomous operation, and transparent performance data. The gap between demo capabilities and production-ready autonomy remains the biggest question mark.

Bottom line: If you're a manufacturer or logistics provider evaluating humanoid robots for pilot deployment in 2026, Apollo should be on your shortlist. It may not be the cheapest option, and it won't do everything autonomously yet, but its combination of practical hardware design, real-world partnerships, and massive financial backing makes it one of the safest bets in a rapidly evolving market.

Ready to explore Apollo or other humanoid robots? Browse our full selection at Robozaps, or check out our comprehensive best humanoid robots guide to compare all the top options.

Related Reviews: Tesla Optimus vs Apptronik Apollo · Tesla Optimus Gen 2 Review