1X: OpenAI-Backed Robotic Startup Secures $100 Million in Funding

1X Technologies Secures $100 Million in Series B Funding to Advance Humanoid Robotics

1X Technologies, a Norwegian robotics startup backed by OpenAI and other leading investors, has successfully raised $100 million in its Series B funding round. Key participants include EQT Ventures, Samsung NEXT, Nistad Group, as well as existing investors Sandwater and Skagerak Capital.

The funding will be utilized to enhance support for current enterprise customers and to launch NEO, the company’s new bipedal android. 1X aims to see its humanoid robots collaborate with humans, addressing society's growing labor demands.

While the potential is substantial, 1X faces stiff competition in the bipedal robotics space, populated by established firms advancing their technologies through new AI developments.

Innovative Offerings from 1X Technologies

Founded a decade ago by Bernt Øivind Børnich as Halodi Robotics, 1X Technologies focuses on creating general-purpose robots for labor-intensive tasks. The company has advanced its technology, including the world’s highest torque-to-weight drive servo motor, designed to replicate organic muscle movements, and has started delivering solutions to enterprise customers.

The partnership with OpenAI in 2022 marked a significant turning point, leading the company to incorporate AI models for enhancing the intelligence of its robots. These models allow the robots to comprehend natural language requests and execute tasks while continuously learning from their experiences.

Eve, the company's wheeled robot, is already operational in various industrial settings, efficiently completing tasks like moving equipment, opening doors, and delivering orders. The robot's adaptive capabilities were honed through practical training at the company's facility in Moss, Norway.

1X employs a unique approach for data collection, diverging from traditional coding methods. Utilizing VR Teleoperation, operators guide androids through real-world scenarios, enabling intuitive learning about various tasks and their complexities. As they gather data, the androids acquire new skills tailored for environments designed for human interaction.

Development of NEO for Consumer Markets

In addition to Eve, 1X is working on NEO, a bipedal humanoid designed for the consumer market to assist with daily household tasks such as cleaning, organization, and errands. Although both robots are primarily autonomous, remote control options remain available for specific situations.

Growth Trajectory

While 1X is scaling its production of androids, specific growth metrics are currently undisclosed, and inquiries remain unanswered. Notably, the company mentions partnerships with Sunnass Hospital and Everon, which have deployed approximately 250 units for nighttime security in commercial settings.

With this latest funding, totaling nearly $137 million raised to date, 1X aims to bolster support for its enterprise clientele while launching NEO in the consumer sector. The company is also committed to enhancing its data collection and training strategies for embodied AI technologies.

"The integration of androids into the workforce will be undeniably transformative. We believe 1X and their NEO androids will be pivotal in shaping a future that melds technology with human resources," stated Ted Persson, partner at EQT Ventures.

The humanoid robotics field is gaining momentum, particularly with advancements in AI language models. Companies such as Boston Dynamics and Tesla are exploring the development of humanoid robots, underscoring a growing trend in this innovative sector. According to MarketsAndMarkets, the AI robotics market is projected to grow from $6.9 billion in 2021 to $35.3 billion by 2026, reflecting a CAGR of nearly 39%.