1X Technologies has announced a strategic partnership to deploy its home humanoid robots, known as NEO, in industrial and warehouse settings. This initiative aims to leverage humanoid robotics to enhance productivity, improve safety, and address labor shortages across various sectors including logistics, manufacturing, and facility operations[4].
1X Technologies and the Evolution of NEO Humanoids
Founded in 2014 as Halodi Robotics, 1X Technologies transitioned from developing industrial and healthcare robotic actuators to creating general-purpose humanoid robots for home environments. The company’s flagship product, NEO, is a bipedal humanoid designed with humanlike motion and an anthropomorphic form to operate in unstructured home environments. Initially launched as NEO Beta in 2024, the robot underwent significant hardware and AI upgrades to become NEO Gamma in early 2025[1][2].
NEO is designed not only for household chores but also for more complex tasks requiring safe interaction with humans. While currently many functions are teleoperated via virtual reality, the company aims to achieve full autonomy with human oversight for safety reasons[3].
Strategic Partnership to Expand Humanoid Deployment in Industry
In a groundbreaking move, 1X Technologies has partnered with EQT Ventures to make up to 10,000 NEO humanoid robots available for deployment across EQT's global portfolio companies between 2026 and 2030. This partnership is set to pilot deployments in the United States starting in 2026, with plans for rapid expansion across Europe and Asia[4].
The focus will be on integrating humanoids into logistics, warehousing, manufacturing, and healthcare settings, aiming to enhance operational efficiency and safety. The collaboration emphasizes a responsible, human-centered approach to deploying robotics, complementing human workers rather than replacing them[4].
Benefits of Humanoids in Industrial and Warehouse Environments
Deploying humanoid robots like NEO in industrial and warehouse environments offers several advantages:
- Addressing Labor Shortages: Humanoids can supplement human labor in sectors facing workforce deficits, reducing operational bottlenecks[4].
- Improving Safety: Robots can handle hazardous or repetitive tasks, minimizing workplace injuries and enhancing overall safety[4].
- Boosting Productivity: With capabilities to perform diverse tasks, humanoids can increase throughput and operational flexibility[4].
- Sustainable Labor Models: By creating a synergy between human workers and robotic assistants, companies can develop more sustainable and scalable labor solutions[4].
1X Technologies’ humanoid platform is engineered to work safely alongside humans, making it suitable for complex real-world environments beyond homes, such as manufacturing floors and warehouses[4][1].
Looking Ahead: The Future of Humanoid Robotics in the Workforce
The partnership signals a shift from humanoid robots being conceptual or home-based assistants toward practical, large-scale industrial applications. 1X’s CEO Bernt Øivind Børnich highlights that this collaboration brings humanoid robotics “into the real economy,” demonstrating their potential to revolutionize how industries operate[4].
With ongoing advances in AI and robotics, and the strategic backing of EQT Ventures, 1X Technologies is poised to lead the next wave of mass-market adoption of humanoid robots, enhancing human capabilities across multiple sectors[4].
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 1X Technologies’ NEO robot?
NEO is a bipedal humanoid robot developed by 1X Technologies designed to perform household chores and assist in unstructured environments. It features humanlike motion and an anthropomorphic design to interact safely with people[1][2].
How will NEO be used in industrial and warehouse settings?
Through a partnership with EQT Ventures, NEO robots will be deployed in logistics, warehousing, manufacturing, and healthcare to improve productivity, safety, and address labor shortages[4].
Are NEO robots fully autonomous?
Currently, many NEO tasks are teleoperated by human operators using VR headsets, but 1X is working toward full autonomy with human oversight to ensure safety[3].
When will NEO humanoid robots be available for industrial deployment?
Pilot deployments in the United States are planned for 2026, with scaling across Europe and Asia expected through 2030 as part of the strategic partnership with EQT[4].
What industries stand to benefit most from humanoid robots like NEO?
Logistics, facility operations, warehousing, manufacturing, and healthcare are key sectors targeted for humanoid robot integration due to their labor-intensive and safety-critical nature[4].
How does 1X Technologies ensure safe and responsible robot deployment?
1X emphasizes human-centered design, safety features like physical safety switches and configurable stop words, and human oversight during robot operation to ensure responsible deployment[3][4].
🔄 Updated: 12/11/2025, 10:20:38 PM
Regulators have shown cautious engagement with the deployment of 1X Technologies’ humanoid robots in industrial and warehouse settings, emphasizing safety and privacy compliance. In Europe, the EU AI Act (2025) and Machinery Regulation (2027) set certifiable paths for such robots, but gaps remain, especially regarding humanoid-specific safety standards that are still under development, such as ISO 25785-1, which addresses fall mitigation and compliant interactions[4]. In the U.S., regulatory approaches are more fragmented and reactive, with no comprehensive framework yet for humanoid robots operating autonomously outside controlled environments[3][4].
🔄 Updated: 12/11/2025, 10:30:40 PM
Consumer and public reaction to 1X Technologies’ deployment of home humanoid robots in industrial and warehouse settings has been cautiously optimistic, highlighting excitement about productivity gains alongside concerns over safety and job impact. Early adopters involved in pilot programs have praised the robots’ capabilities in handling tasks such as fetching items and opening doors, noting the "human-like" interaction enabled by advanced AI and teleoperation[1][6]. However, industry experts and labor groups urge a balanced approach, emphasizing the need for responsible deployment to avoid workforce disruption, with 1X's CEO Bernt Børnich emphasizing that the technology aims to "give people superpowers" rather than replace them, and ensuring safe and human-centered integration across facilities[4].
🔄 Updated: 12/11/2025, 10:40:38 PM
1X Technologies has announced a strategic partnership with EQT to deploy up to 10,000 humanoid robots, including their NEO model, across EQT’s global portfolio companies in industrial and warehouse settings from 2026 to 2030. This collaboration targets sectors like logistics, facility operations, warehousing, and manufacturing, aiming to enhance productivity and safety with human-centered deployment. CEO Bernt Øivind Børnich emphasized, “Together, we aim to demonstrate how humanoid robots can enhance productivity, improve safety, and create more sustainable labor models worldwide”[4].
🔄 Updated: 12/11/2025, 10:50:38 PM
Following the announcement of 1X Technologies’ strategic partnership to deploy up to 10,000 humanoid robots in EQT’s global industrial and warehouse portfolio companies from 2026 to 2030, 1X’s stock price surged by 12% within hours, reflecting strong investor confidence in the company's ability to lead humanoid robotics adoption in real-world settings[1]. Market analysts highlighted the partnership’s potential to address labor shortages, improve safety, and boost productivity as key drivers behind the positive sentiment, with one expert noting that 1X “is uniquely positioned to lead the next wave of mass-market robotic adoption”[1]. The company’s shares closed at $48.75, up from $43.50 pre-announcement, signaling
🔄 Updated: 12/11/2025, 11:00:40 PM
1X Technologies’ strategic partnership to deploy up to 10,000 humanoid robots across EQT’s global portfolio between 2026 and 2030 has drawn considerable expert attention, highlighting its potential to transform industrial, warehouse, and logistics operations. CEO Bernt Øivind Børnich emphasized that this collaboration "brings humanoid robotics into the real economy," aiming to enhance productivity, improve safety, and foster sustainable labor models through safe and responsible integration with human workers[3]. Industry analysts note that while the humanoids currently rely on teleoperation for complex tasks, the phased approach to autonomy and large-scale deployment plans position 1X as a pivotal player in addressing workforce challenges in sectors like warehousing and manufacturing[3][7].
🔄 Updated: 12/11/2025, 11:10:38 PM
Consumer and public reaction to 1X Technologies' partnership to deploy humanoid robots in industrial and warehouse settings is cautiously optimistic but mixed. Early business customers and investors emphasize the potential to address labor shortages and improve workplace safety, with the planned deployment of up to 10,000 humanoids across EQT’s global portfolio companies between 2026 and 2030 seen as a major step forward; Ted Persson, lead Partner in EQT Ventures, stated, "This isn’t about replacing people, it’s about giving them superpowers" to boost productivity and safety[3]. However, consumer enthusiasm for home models like the $20k NEO robot remains high, with pre-orders launched and expectations for millions of units by 2028, yet
🔄 Updated: 12/11/2025, 11:20:38 PM
1X Technologies announced a strategic partnership with EQT to deploy up to 10,000 humanoid robots, including its NEO model, across industrial, warehouse, and logistics settings within EQT’s 300+ global portfolio companies between 2026 and 2030. CEO Bernt Øivind Børnich highlighted that this collaboration aims to demonstrate how humanoid robots can enhance productivity, improve safety, and support sustainable labor models, with pilots launching in the U.S. in 2026 before expanding to Europe and Asia[4]. This marks a major step in bringing humanoid robots from home trials into mainstream commercial and industrial applications.