Introduction

At CES 2025, the world of humanoid robotics is making headlines, but the spotlight shines extraordinarily bright on Apptronik's Apollo robot. This year’s event showcased a compelling showcase of innovation, with significant advancements and promising prototypes on display.

Keynote Highlights

The exhibition began with an electrifying keynote from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who was flanked by some of the most recognized names in the humanoid robot space. Among the highlights was Agility's Digit, impressively showcased alongside a miniature conveyor belt, reminiscent of its debut appearance at CES 2020 during Ford’s presentation.

Apptronik's Apollo

However, the humanoid robot landscape at CES 2025 was predominantly represented by smaller, niche companies—with the notable exception of Austin-based Apptronik. Their Apollo robot made waves as part of the Texas Instruments exhibit, leveraging state-of-the-art semiconductor modules developed by the Dallas powerhouse.

Personal Experience

After much anticipation, I finally had the chance to see the Apollo in action. When Apptronik first unveiled the robot's footage to TechCrunch in early 2023, its uncanny resemblance to a high-quality animated render made many, including myself, take a second look. Apollo's design is refreshingly vibrant, breaking away from the typically dark and sterile aesthetics of its competitors. Its cheerful demeanor is characterized by bright colors and a charming face reminiscent of early Apple products, making it feel more relatable and approachable.

Functionality and Interaction

Although Apollo is primarily designed for industrial tasks in factories, its friendly appearance suggests a shift in how we perceive robots in the workplace. Unlike many early prototypes that appeared intimidating or overly mechanical, Apollo invites interaction without losing sight of its core functionality.

Demonstration at CES

At CES, I witnessed Apollo in a limited pick-and-place demonstration. The robot exhibited impressively smooth movements and even playfully engaged with the audience while I took photos. However, it’s important to note that this demo does not reflect the full potential of the robot. Apptronik is gearing up to roll out a more autonomous and intelligent version, set to revolutionize factory operations and possibly change the labor landscape.

Conclusion

As the humanoid robotics narrative progresses, Apollo and its competitors may pave the way for new applications across various industries, showcasing their capabilities beyond the factory floor. Indeed, the future of humanoid robots seems both promising and bright—much like Apollo itself!