Apptronik's Apollo Robot Strikes a Pose at CES 2025

CES 2025 has been an eventful showcase for humanoid robots, with notable moments highlighting the form factor's evolution on the tech stage. This was prominently evidenced during NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang's keynote, where some top humanoid robots shared the spotlight.

Among these, Agility's Digit appeared with a miniature conveyor belt at NVIDIA's booth, marking a return for the bipedal robot, which first graced the event in 2020 under Ford's banner.

In the realm of humanoid robotics, smaller companies dominated the landscape, with the significant exception of Apptronik's Apollo. This robot made its presence known at CES through Texas Instruments, incorporating internal modules from the Dallas-based semiconductor giant.

This year marked the first in-person unveiling of Apollo at the show. Initially revealed via footage in 2023, Apollo's design defies typical conventions, offering a more approachable aesthetic compared to its peers. Its bright and almost whimsical appearance, complete with big eyes, is reminiscent of early iMac designs, setting it apart from its often dark and apocalyptic counterparts.

Designed for factory environments, Apollo's welcoming demeanor challenges the notion that industrial robots must look cold and sterile. Its movements were notably smooth as it playfully engaged with the camera, though the demo was limited to simple pick-and-place actions for display purposes only, rather than showcasing the robot's full autonomous potential intended for industrial use.

Image Credits: Brian Heater

Apptronik has commenced factory trials with Mercedes since March, following the footsteps of partnerships between Figure and BMW, as well as Agility and Amazon.

Stay tuned as Apptronik's Apollo could be seen playing a pivotal role in the future of manufacturing automation, bringing a blend of functionality and approachability to factory floors.