Norwegian firm 1X Technologies, previously Halodi Robotics, has recently obtained a substantial $100 million during its Series B financing round. The infusion of funds is earmarked for the advancement and market introduction of its second-generation humanoid, the NEO android, which is expected to perform various general-purpose tasks.
Series B Funding to Propel Android Market Expansion
1X Technologies envisions its humanoid robots to safely integrate into society, addressing the global demand for labor. The company, founded in 2014, revealed its plans to expand the NEO android’s capabilities by scaling its data collection approach, focusing on embodied artificial intelligence (AI), and increasing its consumer availability.
Strategic Partnerships and Technical Development
The past years have seen 1X Technologies partner with notable firms such as Everon by ADT International and OpenAI, emphasizing the creation of a robust platform for embodied learning and security applications. The company also prides itself on developing the high-efficiency Revo1 servo motor.
The funds will primarily be allocated to improve NEO’s bipedal movement and manipulation abilities, with a strong focus on safe human interaction. The transition to bipedal locomotion is seen as a means to enhance task efficiency in confined spaces, a common feature of domestic environments.
NEO is designed to operate autonomously for most tasks but will require cloud connectivity for advanced reasoning and planning. The robot’s initial focus will be household integration, with the broader aim to train it for various tasks in a privacy-conscious manner.
Bernt Øivind Børnich, CEO of 1X Technologies, highlights the collaborative nature of android training at the company’s lab. He notes the uniqueness of NEO in the humanoid robot landscape, emphasizing its safety and practicality for consumer use.
Investment interest in android development has surged, with 1X Technologies raising over $125 million in under a year. The Series B round saw contributions from international and secondary investors, including major entities like Samsung NEXT. The firm’s vision aligns with historical aspirations and is seen as pivotal in shaping the technological future of human and robot collaboration.
