Astra is an upper-body humanoid (torso, arms, hands and head) developed by US company Apptronik as a research platform for manipulation. It does not walk; it can be mounted on an autonomous mobile base. Apptronik used what it learned from Astra to build the Apollo humanoid.
History and role in Apollo
Astra predates Apollo. In May 2023 TechCrunch wrote that Apptronik had so far shown "two halves of a robot": Astra, a humanoid upper body that mounts on an autonomous mobile robot (AMR), and Draco, a pair of walking legs. The full Apollo humanoid followed in August 2023.
Apptronik's site describes Astra as one of its most important upper-body platforms and a direct bridge to Apollo's manipulation and interaction capabilities, used to refine compact actuation, coordinated upper-body motion and human-aware design.
Design and use
Astra was used for two-handed tasks in spaces shared with people. TechCrunch noted that Apollo shares many of its design traits. Apptronik has not published a full spec sheet (degrees of freedom, mass, payload), and any listed height refers to the robot on a mobile base rather than the module alone.
Astra was not offered for general sale, and Apptronik has not disclosed a price or customers.
Timeline
- 2023-05 Astra described as an upper-body humanoid mounted on an AMR.
- 2023-08 Apptronik unveils the full Apollo humanoid, which builds on Astra among other platforms.
Sources
- Our Work, Apptronik (2026)
- Apptronik readies its humanoid robot for a summer unveil, TechCrunch (2023-05-23)
- Apptronik's Apollo is the latest humanoid robot to beat Tesla to market, Engadget (2023-08-23)
Updated: 2026-10-10
Verification and limitations
This entry requires an up-to-date manufacturer specification check.
MERA field measurement report: not published. Demonstration footage and manufacturer specifications are not a MERA test under event conditions.
Data and provenance for AI agents ↗Compared with the catalogue
- At 175 cm the Apptronik Astra is taller than 68% of the humanoids in the catalogue (median: 170 cm).
- It has 24 degrees of freedom against a catalogue median of 28; more degrees of freedom usually means finer arm and hand movement.
- It is one of 4 Apptronik models in the catalogue and one of 43 humanoids from USA.
Capabilities
Frequently asked questions
Does Apptronik Astra walk?
No. It is a humanoid upper body that mounts on a wheeled base.
Can you buy Astra?
Apptronik did not offer it for general sale or publish a price.
How is Astra related to Apollo?
Astra was a manipulation development platform whose lessons fed into Apollo's arms and hands.
How much does the Apptronik Astra cost?
The manufacturer has not published a price for the Apptronik Astra. You can send a purchase enquiry through MERA Robotics.
Is the Apptronik Astra available to buy?
Status: Research: a research platform for labs and universities.
How tall and heavy is the Apptronik Astra?
Height: 175 cm, degrees of freedom: 24.
How do I buy the Apptronik Astra through MERA Robotics?
Click “I want to buy” or fill in the form on this page. MERA Robotics will reply whether and on what terms the model is available and can help deploy it with the MERA OS conversation system.
Data: Apptronik. Specs from the manufacturer; they may change, always confirm with the manufacturer before buying.
