Rising labor shortages and the need for efficiency in various industries have prompted organizations to look for reliable robotics solutions. Now, 1X Technologies is expanding access to its humanoid robot, NEO, by partnering with EQT, a global private equity firm. Expectations are high among industry watchers as EQT’s vast global portfolio could accelerate the adoption of advanced robotics, leveraging advances in artificial intelligence for real-world environments. As competitors already introduce robots to customer sites, this move signals a next phase in the commercial humanoid market.
While robot deployments for household and industrial tasks saw steady progress recently, collaborations of this scale have been limited. NEO was previously aimed at household chores, but commercial rivals like Agility Robotics and Figure AI have recently begun placing robots in logistics and warehousing operations. EQT’s involvement stands out, not only for its reach but for enabling wider, earlier adoption across diverse sectors—something that has yet to be attempted at this potential volume. Analysts see this as a substantial step compared to initial pilot deployments elsewhere, reflecting a growing willingness among major organizations to test robotics at scale.
How Will the 1X and EQT Collaboration Work?
1X Technologies has outlined a strategic plan with EQT to introduce up to 10,000 NEO humanoid robots across EQT’s global portfolio between 2026 and 2030. Adoption decisions will be left to each EQT portfolio company, giving autonomy over implementation. This offers scalability while respecting operational independence, opening opportunities for NEO in various facilities, from warehouses to healthcare centers.
What Sets the NEO Robot Apart?
Originally designed for safe operation around people in homes, the NEO robot’s adaptability forms a key part of its appeal as it shifts toward commercial environments. Now positioned for facility operations, logistics, warehousing, manufacturing, and healthcare, NEO emphasizes working collaboratively with humans. Bernt Øivind Børnich, CEO of 1X Technologies, said,
“EQT’s global reach and operational expertise make them the ideal partner to help deploy our technology safely, responsibly, and at scale.”
He emphasized ongoing goals to use humanoid robots in ways that can support productivity and improve workplace safety.
What Does This Mean for the Humanoid Robotics Market?
As 1X expands with EQT, it enters competition with companies such as Boston Dynamics, Figure AI, and Agility Robotics, all working to establish commercial humanoid robots. While Agility’s Digit and Figure’s robots have already appeared at commercial sites, EQT’s extensive network could enable 1X to scale deployments more rapidly. Ted Persson, lead partner at EQT Ventures, stated,
“By making 1X’s technology available to our portfolio companies, we help them tackle labor shortages, improve safety, and unlock new levels of productivity in the industries that keep the world running.”
EQT’s portfolio covers sectors from logistics to data centers, positioning the NEO robot as a flexible solution for modern business challenges.
Shifting from single-site pilots to staged, global rollout, commercial humanoid robots are increasingly positioned as part of the workforce rather than as replacements for employees. Key differences in this partnership involve focus on responsible deployment, early access to integration expertise for portfolio companies, and tailoring robots for collaborative work. As industry adoption grows, organizations seeking automation solutions may benefit from monitoring how well these robots adapt to varied environments, how effectively they integrate with human teams, and where real productivity gains are realized. Companies planning future robotics investments can look to early data from large-scale rollouts such as this for strategy insight and operational planning.
