A robot from Apptronik is seen here manipulating a package using its hands. Apptronik, a renowned robot manufacturer, has joined forces with the prominent supply chain corporation Jabil to conduct tests and manufacture its humanoid robots. According to Apptronik, the Apollo robots are designed to undertake basic tasks, thereby providing assistance to employees within Jabil’s manufacturing facilities. This collaboration marks Apptronik’s previous partnership with Mercedes-Benz.
Apptronik has initiated an agreement that could potentially lead to its humanoid robots autonomously assembling themselves on production lines. The company based in Austin recently announced a collaboration with the supply chain giant Jabil. Jabil, primarily recognized for its expertise in crafting electronic circuit boards, will facilitate a factory setting for the “real-world testing” of Apptronik’s Apollo robots, as stated in a press release. Apptronik further elaborated that the Apollo robots stationed at Jabil’s facilities will be assigned various uncomplicated and repetitive tasks such as inspection, sorting, lineside delivery, and fixture placement. Additionally, Jabil has agreed to manufacture Apollo robots within its facilities, implying that these robots could potentially participate in their own construction if they pass the testing phase.
Apptronik has emphasized that the robots operating within Jabil’s factories aim to complement the existing workforce, enabling employees to allocate more time to tasks that are beyond the capabilities of the robots. Individuals previously responsible for the duties now performed by the robots can now redirect their efforts towards engaging in “more creative and intellectually stimulating projects,” according to the company’s announcement.
Established in 2016 within a laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin, Apptronik later secured a collaboration with NASA in 2022 to support the development of its humanoid robots. The company introduced its inaugural humanoid robot, Apollo, in August 2023. Apptronik’s CEO, Jeff Cardenas, stressed the concept that humanoid robots should be versatile enough to fit into spaces and utilize tools just like humans do. This adaptability would enable the robots to seamlessly integrate into a world designed for human use, eliminating the need for extensive modifications to accommodate the robots.
This marks the second occasion where Apptronik has designated the Apollo robots for deployment in a factory environment. In March 2024, the company announced a partnership with Mercedes-Benz to evaluate the Apollo robots by assigning them basic tasks within the automaker’s production lines. Apptronik joins the ranks of companies deploying humanoid robots in manufacturing facilities, following BMW’s announcement in June 2024 detailing the successful trial of Figure 02 robots, developed by a California-based robot manufacturer, in their Spartanburg, South Carolina factory. BMW reported that the Figure 02 robots effectively inserted sheet metal components, which were subsequently integrated into the chassis of the vehicles over a multi-week assessment period.
Apptronik and Jabil have not yet responded to Business Insider’s request for comments regarding this collaboration.
