Why It Matters
The funding and acquisition activity accelerates commercial deployment of autonomous systems, while leadership changes at Boston Dynamics could reshape its product strategy and market positioning.
Key Takeaways
- •Apptronik secures $520M to expand Apollo production
- •Symbotic adds Fox Robotics, targeting autonomous forklift market
- •Boston Dynamics CEO Robert Playter retires, CFO interim
- •Manifest 2026 showcased AI-driven warehouse automation startups
- •Podcast featured insights from eight robotics CEOs and founders
Pulse Analysis
Manifest 2026 turned Las Vegas into a showcase for the next wave of supply‑chain automation, gathering manufacturers, software innovators and investors under one roof. The trade show emphasized AI‑driven perception, collaborative robots and end‑to‑end logistics platforms, reflecting a market that is moving from pilot projects to full‑scale deployments. By featuring interviews with CEOs from Gather AI, Robust.AI, Slamcore and others, the Robot Report podcast captured the strategic priorities of firms that are redefining inventory management, order fulfillment and warehouse safety through advanced robotics.
Capital is flowing aggressively into the sector, as illustrated by Apptronik’s $520 million Series A‑X round that pushes its Apollo humanoid toward mass production and expands its data‑collection facilities. Meanwhile, Symbotic’s purchase of Fox Robotics signals a consolidation trend, giving the warehouse‑automation leader a foothold in autonomous forklift technology and a direct line to major retailers like Walmart. The leadership transition at Boston Dynamics, with CFO Amanda McMaster assuming interim CEO duties, adds another layer of uncertainty and opportunity, potentially accelerating the company’s shift from research prototypes to commercially viable, electric‑powered robots.
These moves collectively reshape the competitive landscape of industrial automation. Investors see a clear path to revenue as robots move from niche applications to core logistics functions, prompting both organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Companies that can integrate perception, manipulation and AI at scale are poised to capture sizable market share, while those lagging in leadership or capital may struggle to keep pace. As supply‑chain resilience remains a top priority for manufacturers and retailers, the convergence of funding, M&A activity and executive realignment will likely drive faster adoption of autonomous material‑handling solutions over the next few years.
Manifest 2026 recap
The Robot Report Podcast · Manifest 2026 Recap
The Robot Report Podcast · Robot development from Actuators to AI
In Episode 230 of The Robot Report Podcast, hosts Mike Oitzman and Eugene Demaitre recap the major robotics news of the week and discuss their experiences at the Manifest 2026 supply chain trade show in Las Vegas.
Show timeline
-
8:12 – Zoox robotaxi review
-
6:20 – News of the week
-
14:33 – Manifest event recap with Gene Demaitre and Mike Oitzman
-
34:08 – Interview with Sankalp Arora, CEO of Gather AI
-
41:58 – Interview with Ben Gruettner, chief revenue officer of Robust.AI
-
49:28 – Interview with Owen Nicholson, CEO of Slamcore
-
54:21 – Interview with Mason Cole, vice president of sales at Slip Robotics
-
1:00:55 – Interview with Steven McKinley (chief operating officer) and Jim Leifer (CEO) at Ambi Robotics
-
1:10:00 – Interview with Jackie Wu, CEO of Corvus Robotics
-
1:16:40 – Interview with Kevin Damoa, founder and CEO of Glid Technologies
-
1:22:37 – Interview with Eric Miller, co-founder and CEO of AutoPallet
News of the week
Apptronik brings in another $520M to ramp up Apollo production
Apptronik has raised a $520 million Series A-X funding round. This brings the Austin, Texas-based humanoid robot developer’s total Series A to more than $935 million and its total capital raised to nearly $1 billion.
With the capital, Apptronik said it will ramp up production of the Apollo robot and expand its global network of commercial and pilot deployments. The company also plans to build facilities for robot training and data collection, as well as to finish developing its latest robot model, which is set to debut in this year.
Symbotic acquires autonomous forklift maker Fox Robotics
Symbotic has acquired Fox Robotics in a move that broadens its logistics robotics offerings. The Wilmington, Mass.-based company announced the deal during its Q1 2026 earnings call.
Symbotic founder and CEO Rick Cohen said the Fox Robotics acquisition gives Symbotic access to a broader market in autonomous material handling and the possibility of introducing new solutions beyond existing warehouse automation.
While most of Fox Robotics’ customers are not Symbotic customers, they do share one large client: Walmart. Cohen said he expects to bring guided fork trucks to a wider audience.
Boston Dynamics CEO Robert Playter steps down
Robert Playter, CEO of Boston Dynamics, has stepped down from the company. Playter took over as CEO in 2019 and led Boston Dynamics through its acquisition by Hyundai in 2020.
Prior to taking over as CEO, Playter served as chief operating officer. His last day with Boston Dynamics will be Feb. 27. According to the company, Playter plans to retire.
Amanda McMaster, Boston Dynamics’ chief financial officer, will take over as interim CEO until the board of directors finds its next leader.
Playter took over as CEO at a crucial time for Boston Dynamics. The company was long known for its research platforms like the hydraulically-powered Atlas humanoid but wanted to turn its technology into commercial systems. Playter helped to bring Spot, Stetch, and most recently, a fully electric version of Atlas to market.
The post Manifest 2026 recap appeared first on The Robot Report.
0
Comments
Want to join the conversation?
Loading comments...