Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi reveal how 3D printing, AI, and automation are driving the rise of humanoid robots, with major players like Apptronik, Tesla, and Google leading the charge.
Humanoid robots are at the forefront of a technological revolution, poised to transform industries by undertaking tasks that are repetitive, dangerous, or tedious for humans. Advancements in 3D printing, artificial intelligence (AI), and automation platforms are pivotal in this transformation, enabling the development and deployment of sophisticated robots capable of learning and performing complex tasks.
Apptronik’s US$350 Million Funding Round
Apptronik, spun out of the University of Texas at Austin’s Human Centered Robotics Lab (HCRL) in 2016, recently secured US$350 million in a funding round led by B Capital and Capital Factory, with participation from Alphabet, Google’s parent company. This investment is notable since Google is re-entering the robot market after previously selling its Boston Dynamics robot business in 2017. Boston Dynamics does have a humanoid robot on the market today, the Atlas®, an all-electric model.
Apptronik’s Spin-out from the HCRL and 3D Printing
The Human-Centered Robotics Lab (HCRL) leverages 3D printing in its research and development efforts. Apptronik, was created and spun out of the HCRL, a facility that focuses on building robots that can safely and effectively work alongside humans, utilizing 3D printing to develop custom components and prototypes that enhance the functionality and adaptability of their robotic systems.
The investment aims to scale the production of Apptronik’s AI-powered humanoid robots, particularly the Apollo model, which is designed to perform tasks in warehouses and manufacturing plants. The company plans to expand Apollo’s applications to sectors such as elder care and healthcare.
Both Google and Tesla have been at the forefront of integrating 3D printing and AI into their operations.
Tesla has utilized 3D printing in the development of its vehicles, employing additive manufacturing techniques to produce complex components more efficiently. This approach has been instrumental in the design and production of parts for their electric vehicles, contributing to reduced production costs and increased innovation.
Google’s parent company, Alphabet, has invested in Apptronik, supporting the advancement of AI-powered humanoid robots. This investment underscores Google’s commitment to fostering innovation at the intersection of AI and robotics.
In February 2025, Meta (the parent company of Facebook) unveiled its plans to invest further into AI-driven humanoid robots. This would pit Meta against humanoid rivals such Google and Tesla. Llama is the name of Meta’s main series of AI foundation models, which power a growing suite of generative AI products on the company’s social media platforms.
In a memo, Meta Chief Technology Officer, Andrew Bosworth, said that the new humanoid robotics group would focus on research and development involving “consumer humanoid robots with a goal of maximizing Llama’s platform capabilities.” Bosworth has since hired John Koryl, as Vice President of retail. Koryl was formerly CEO of The RealReal, which sold Meta’s Quest AI headsets and Ray-Ban’s smart glasses offered by EssilorLuxottica, and has experience with AI-driven product lines.
In addition, it has recently been rumored that Apple may enter this market. If Apple enters the market, it could presumably incorporate its deep functional design expertise into humanoid robots.
The Role of 3D Printing in Humanoid Robotics
3D printing, or additive manufacturing, has become integral to the design and production of humanoid robots. It allows for rapid prototyping, customization, and the creation of complex structures that are both lightweight and durable. This technology accelerates development cycles and reduces costs, making it feasible to produce intricate components essential for humanoid robots.
For instance, Tesla has adopted sand 3D printing to create molds for parts in its car manufacturing process. This approach complements their existing methods, such as “gigacasting,” to enhance production efficiency.
Similarly, Freeform Future Corp., a startup specializing in metal 3D printing, has developed AI-driven 3D printers capable of producing complex metal parts. The company recently raised $14 million to build an AI-powered 3D printing factory, highlighting the growing investment in combining AI and 3D printing technologies.
AI and Automation: Teaching Robots Through Observation
Artificial intelligence has endowed humanoid robots with the ability to learn tasks by observing human actions, eliminating the need for explicit programming. This observational learning enables robots to adapt to new tasks efficiently, enhancing their versatility in various applications.
Tesla’s Optimus robot exemplifies this capability. Unveiled in August 2021, Optimus is designed to take over dangerous, repetitive, and boring tasks from humans. Tesla aims to integrate this robotic workforce for assembly tasks in automobile manufacturing, a challenging application of robotic automation.
The role of 3D printing in humanoid robotics technology should not be overlooked or underestimated. According to an exhaustive 2022 study titled, “The Role of 3D-Technologies in Humanoid Robotics A Systematic Review for 3D-Printing in Modern Social Robots,” by Jayesh Saini, et al, there are approximately sixty-one published research papers on the subject of 3D printing in the humanoid robotics field. The diagram below illustrates the segments that comprise these studies.
The Research & Development Tax Credit
The now permanent Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit is available for companies developing new or improved products, processes and/or software.
3D printing can help boost a company’s R&D Tax Credits. Wages for technical employees creating, testing and revising 3D printed prototypes are typically eligible expenses toward the R&D Tax Credit. Similarly, when used as a method of improving a process, time spent integrating 3D printing hardware and software can also be an eligible R&D expense. Lastly, when used for modeling and preproduction, the costs of filaments consumed during the development process may also be recovered.
Whether it is used for creating and testing prototypes or for final production, 3D printing is a great indicator that R&D Credit-eligible activities are taking place. Companies implementing this technology at any point should consider taking advantage of R&D Tax Credits.
Conclusion
The convergence of 3D printing, AI, and automation platforms is propelling the development of humanoid robots capable of performing tasks that are repetitive, dangerous, or tedious for humans. Companies like Apptronik, Tesla, and Google are leading the charge, utilizing these technologies to create robots that can learn through observation and adapt to various roles across industries. As these technologies continue to evolve, we can anticipate a future where humanoid robots become integral partners in the workforce, enhancing efficiency and safety in numerous sectors.
