Jeff Cardenas, CEO of Apptronik, joins John Koetsier on NEXT to explain how the Austin company is developing Apollo and bringing humanoid robots toward commercial use.
Cardenas says Apptronik grew from robotics work at the University of Texas and NASA, including work connected to the DARPA Robotics Challenge. Since its 2016 founding, the company has built 13 robots and eight humanoid versions. Apollo stands 5 feet 8 inches tall, has a 55-pound lifting capacity, and starts with a swappable four-hour battery; Apptronik aims for 22 hours of daily operation.
Apptronik focused on technical foundations, including electric actuation, motor controllers, and electronics, before building toward more capable robots. Cardenas says the company developed more than 35 actuator iterations and designed Apollo around manufacturing cost and supply-chain resilience. Its target price is below $50,000, though that is not yet an available price.
The initial focus is moving boxes and totes in logistics, which Cardenas describes as less demanding than fine, dexterous hand work. Apollo is modular at the torso, hands, and head, allowing different bases, end effectors, and sensor payloads. Apptronik’s approach to intelligence starts with physical capabilities such as balance and coordination, then adds cognitive abilities over time.
Apptronik was preparing customer demonstrations at its Austin facility, with on-site proofs of concept planned for the rest of 2023 and field pilots expected the following year. Cardenas says the company had funded its first five years through revenue from systems it built for customers. He expects early humanoid deployments to use robots-as-a-service, alongside outright purchases by some larger companies.
Cardenas credits U.S. government research, especially the DARPA Robotics Challenge, with helping seed today’s humanoid robotics companies. He points to China’s growing investment and calls for more U.S. support to sustain domestic leadership. He also cites the earlier Unimate industrial robot as a case where U.S. invention did not translate into lasting strength in industrial robotics manufacturing.
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