Overview

1X Technologies AS, a robotics startup originally from Norway and backed by OpenAI, has recently launched a new manufacturing facility in Hayward, California. The company aims to produce 10,000 home robots within the next year, positioning itself to be a leader in the consumer humanoid market.

The new 58,000-square-foot factory will serve as a hub for the production of humanoid robots, with plans to manufacture a total of 100,000 robots by the end of 2027. The startup is also preparing to relocate its headquarters to San Carlos, California, as it expands its operations.

Key details

  • 1X Technologies AS has opened a new factory in Hayward, California.
  • The facility spans 58,000 square feet.
  • The company plans to manufacture 10,000 home robots in the first year.
  • By the end of 2027, 1X aims to produce a total of 100,000 robots.
  • The startup's headquarters moved from Norway to Palo Alto last summer.
  • 1X plans to relocate its headquarters again to San Carlos due to space constraints.
  • The company’s humanoid, named “Neo,” is available for preorder at $20,000.
  • Neo is designed to assist with household tasks and can learn new skills over time.
  • The startup raised approximately $100 million in a Series B funding round in January 2024.
  • The total fundraising amount for 1X Technologies AS is $123.5 million.
  • EQT AB plans to deploy 10,000 of these robots to its portfolio companies.
  • 1X is adopting a vertically integrated manufacturing approach, producing many components in-house.

Context

The humanoid robotics market has seen significant investment in recent years, with various companies developing robots that can perform tasks both in industrial settings and at home. However, consumer humanoids remain less common compared to industrial counterparts.

What happens next

Shipments of the humanoid robots are expected to commence by the end of this year, as 1X Technologies AS prepares to ramp up production in its new manufacturing facility.

What we don't know yet

Details regarding the specific features of the next-generation humanoid, the exact timeline for the San Carlos move, and the valuation of 1X Technologies AS have not been confirmed.