Machines Building Machines: The Future Is Now at Apptronik
- Austin-based Apptronik has partnered with manufacturing giant Jabil to test humanoid robots in factory settings
- The 5’8″ Apollo robots will eventually be tasked with building more of themselves, with commercial production targeted for 2026
- While raising sci-fi-inspired concerns, the companies position this as freeing human workers for more creative, thought-intensive work
In a development that seems lifted straight from science fiction, humanoid robots may soon be building more of themselves in American factories. Austin-based robotics company Apptronik has announced a groundbreaking pilot partnership with manufacturing firm Jabil that could fundamentally transform industrial production as we know it.
The collaboration centers around Apptronik’s Apollo robot – a 5-foot 8-inch, 160-pound humanoid machine capable of carrying up to 55 pounds and operating for four hours on a single battery charge. These robots aren’t just designed to work alongside humans, they’re being prepared to eventually handle their own reproduction.
Under the new agreement, Jabil will provide factory environments for real-world validation testing of the Apollo robots. This critical step will help prepare the humanoids for scaled manufacturing deployment. Initially, the robots will perform relatively simple, repetitive tasks including inspection, sorting, kitting, lineside delivery, fixture placement, and sub-assembly operations.
What makes this partnership particularly noteworthy is Jabil’s commitment to eventually produce Apollo robots in its own factories. This means that if the pilot program succeeds, these humanoid machines will literally be building more versions of themselves – a scenario that has long been theorized but rarely implemented at scale.
“This represents a significant milestone in robotics and manufacturing,” said an Apptronik spokesperson. “While the concept might sound concerning to some, we’re still in the early stages of this journey.”
Indeed, full commercial production of Apollo units isn’t expected until 2026, according to Apptronik’s timeline shared with TechCrunch. This gives the companies time to refine the technology and address potential concerns.
Jabil’s involvement makes strategic sense given its extensive experience in electronics manufacturing and its existing relationships with companies developing robots and warehouse automation solutions. The firm specializes in designing, engineering, and manufacturing electronic circuit boards and systems – expertise that will prove valuable in scaling Apollo production.
Critics and futurists alike have raised questions about the implications of self-replicating robots. The image of tireless, AI-powered machines endlessly producing more of themselves has been a staple of dystopian fiction for decades. However, both Apptronik and Jabil emphasize that these robots are tools designed to complement human workers rather than replace them.
“Our goal is to free human employees from repetitive, physically demanding tasks so they can focus on creative, thought-intensive projects,” explained an Apptronik representative. “This isn’t about replacing workers – it’s about enhancing their capabilities and improving workplace safety.”
Nevertheless, concerns about job displacement remain. Manufacturing has historically been a sector providing stable employment for workers without advanced degrees, and automation has already transformed many factory floors. The introduction of humanoid robots capable of performing diverse tasks represents another potential shift in the labor landscape.
What distinguishes this development from previous automation waves is the versatility of humanoid robots. Unlike specialized machines designed for single tasks, Apollo robots are built to handle various operations and adapt to different environments. This flexibility could accelerate their adoption across multiple industries once production scales.
As the pilot program progresses, both companies will be closely monitoring performance metrics and refining the robots’ capabilities. The success or failure of this initiative could have far-reaching implications for manufacturing, labor markets, and the future relationship between humans and increasingly sophisticated machines.
For now, the sight of robots building more robots remains limited to controlled factory environments. But as this technology matures, it may become an increasingly common feature of industrial production – raising both exciting possibilities and profound questions about our automated future.