1X Technologies (previously named Halodi Robotics), a Norway-based Humanoid robotics company, has secured $23.5 million in a Series A2 funding round led by OpenAI Startup Fund (also backed CodiumAI).
Other investors who participated include Tiger Global and a consortium of Norway-based investors, including Sandwater, Alliance Ventures, and Skagerak Capital.
How will the funding be used?
1X Technologies intends to use the funds to increase the efforts of building its upcoming bipedal android model — NEO, and scale manufacturing of its first
commercially available android EVE in Norway and North America.
“1X is thrilled to have OpenAI lead this round because we’re aligned in our missions: thoughtfully integrating emerging technology into people’s daily lives. With the support of our investors, we will continue to make significant strides in the field of robotics and augment the global labor market,” says Bernt Øyvind Børnich, CEO and founder of 1X Technologies.
Producing humanoid robots
Founded by Bernt Øyvind Børnich in 2014, 1X is an engineering and robotics company producing androids capable of human-like movements and behaviors.
Børnich highlights the necessity of having androids deployed in the real world, “Deploying our wheeled android EVE at an unprecedented commercial scale gives us a unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities the robotics community has yet to address. If androids are going to work in our world, they need to experience our world.”
The company is on a mission to create robots with practical, real-world applications to augment labor globally. Currently, the company employs around 60 people.
“1X is at the forefront of augmenting labor through the use of safe, advanced technologies in robotics,” said Brad Lightcap, OpenAI’s COO and manager of the OpenAI Startup Fund. “The OpenAI Startup Fund believes in the approach and impact that 1X can have on the future of work.”
Tiger Global partner Griffin Schroeder says, “We believe 1X’s androids are revolutionizing the field of robotics and are excited to be investing alongside OpenAI to support their continued growth.”
Arne Tonning, Partner, Alliance Venture says, “Demographic changes will cause a labor shortage, and androids could help fill the gap. Goldman Sachs predicts a 150 BUSD market potential in 2035. Solving the right use cases is key to success, and we believe 1X Technologies is constructing a winning alliance.”
Espen Kjellsen, Partner, Skagerak Capital says, “1X now deploys Androids in North America before entering the global market while maintaining a “safety first” mindset, making product design and development even more challenging. It is exciting for Skagerak to support 1X with their disruptive technology now that they enter this ambitious commercialization phase.”
