1X stated its NEO humanoid can automate family chores. | Supply: 1X Applied sciences
1X Applied sciences AS this week introduced a strategic partnership with EQT, a personal fairness agency and investor in 1X by way of EQT Ventures.
The businesses stated they intend to roll out as much as 10,000 of 1X’s humanoid robots throughout EQT’s world portfolio between 2026 and 2030. EQT famous that finally every portfolio firm will make implementation selections.
“This partnership brings humanoid robotics into the actual financial system,” said Bernt Øivind Børnich, founder and CEO of 1X Applied sciences. “EQT’s world attain and operational experience make them the best companion to assist deploy our know-how safely, responsibly, and at scale. Collectively, we goal to display how humanoid robots can improve productiveness, enhance security, and create extra sustainable labor fashions worldwide.”
1X appears to be like past residence functions
One key side of the partnership is the goal functions for 1X Applied sciences’ NEO humanoid. The Palo Alto, Calif.-based firm stated it has designed NEO to function safely round individuals.
Till now, 1X has targeted on advertising NEO as a helper for widespread family duties. Based in 2014, it stated the robotic is presently accessible for pre-orders and can ship to its first client houses in 2026.
Wanting ahead, the corporate stated it would deal with facility operations, logistics, warehousing, manufacturing, and healthcare.
1X joins industrial humanoid race
With the extra focus, 1X will probably be competing with different humanoid builders like Boston Dynamics, Determine AI, and Agility Robotics, that are all aiming to deploy such robots in industrial settings. If 1X is profitable, it will likely be following within the footsteps of Determine and Agility.
Agility Robotics this week introduced its newest Digit deployment. Mercado Libre, a number one commerce and fintech ecosystem in Latin America, is integrating Digit right into a facility in San Antonio, Texas. The businesses didn’t present many particulars about what the robotic will do on the facility.
Digit was first deployed with GXO in June 2024. That is broadly thought of to be the primary deployment of a humanoid at a industrial buyer web site. Determine has additionally deployed its robots with a paying buyer since December 2024.
EQT to offer portfolio corporations early entry
By way of this collaboration, EQT’s portfolio corporations will acquire early entry to 1X’s industrial manufacturing capability and integration experience. It asserted that this may give early adopters a “first-mover benefit” in addressing structural workforce transformation.
The partnership will deal with high-impact use instances for robots working intently with people, akin to industrial software program, logistics, facility operations, warehousing, manufacturing, and healthcare.
“Humanoid robotics is transferring from fiction to real-world deployment, and 1X is uniquely positioned to steer the subsequent wave of mass-market robotic adoption,” stated Ted Persson, lead companion in EQT Ventures, which first invested in 1X in 2023.
“This isn’t about changing individuals; it’s about giving them superpowers,” he added. “By making 1X’s know-how accessible to our portfolio corporations, we assist them deal with labor shortages, enhance security, and unlock new ranges of productiveness within the industries that preserve the world operating.”
EQT had €267 billion ($313.4 billion U.S.) in belongings beneath administration as of Sept. 30. The platform spans personal capital and actual belongings and contains about 300 portfolio corporations with roughly 700,000 workers. The Pittsburgh-based agency additionally owns greater than 2,000 actual property belongings throughout the US, Europe, and Asia Pacific, together with 1,800 logistics tenants and 20,000 residing tenants.
EQT’s infrastructure portfolio helps 330 million passengers annually, serves 40 million customers of social infrastructure providers, operates greater than 70 information facilities, and contains over 145 clinics.
EQT Ventures is an early-stage lead investor that has has raised over €2.6 billion ($3.1 billion) throughout its funds and partnered with greater than 140 founding groups throughout Europe and the U.S. Its crew supplies greater than capital, providing deep operational experience, strategic steering, and entry to EQT’s world platform to speed up progress.
