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1X Technologies is a Norwegian engineering and robotics company developing androids capable of human-like movements and behaviors to meet labor demands. The company develops robotics based on the human shape to better navigate the built environment rather than change it to suit the needs of new technology. 1X aims for its androids to exhibit smart behavior, autonomously supporting human activities and performing roles that are unsafe or unmet by the human labor force.
1X is developing two androids: EVE, a wheeled android designed to move faster and carry more weight for work settings, and NEO, a bipedal android designed to look more like a human and act as an intelligent assistant. Both androids can pick up common objects in the household or workplace and fit through regular doors. 1X androids are trained using embodied learning to understand and interact with their environment. They learn by expert demonstrations performed by 1X operators and natural language commands. The company states its androids intelligently string together actions to accomplish tasks. Initial use cases for the 1X EVE android include warehouse logistics and guarding with a short-term goal of moving into the assisted living market.
Originally named Halodi Robotics, the company was founded in 2014 by CEO Bernt Øivind Børnich. 1X is headquartered in Moss, Norway, with additional locations in Oslo, Norway, Mountain View, California, and Irving, Texas. 1X has a partnership with Everon, a US-based provider of commercial security, fire, life safety, and risk consulting services, to deliver EVE androids for security on commercial premises. In 2022, the company announced a partnership with OpenAI to integrate AI into its robotics technology.
In May 2023, 1X announced 23.5 million in Series A2 funding led by the OpenAI Startup Fund, with participation from Tiger Global and a consortium of Norway-based investors, including Sandwater, Alliance Ventures, and Skagerak Capital. The funding will be used to continue the development of bipedal android NEO and scale manufacturing for the company's first commercially available android EVE in Norway and North America. In January 2024, 1X announced $100 million in series B funding from EQT Ventures and other investors. The company stated the new capital would be used to bring its second-generation android NEO to market. As part of the round, 1X also facilitated a significant secondary transaction where existing investor Sandwater increased its stake with the third-largest contribution to the round. Other secondary participants included new investor Samsung NEXT and existing investors Skagerak Capital and the Nistad group.
EVE is a wheeled android built to operate alongside human workers in a range of industries, including logistics and retail. EVE is designed specifically for work settings with wheels so it can move faster and have the ability to carry more than a human worker. EVE is built with internal mechanics that mimic human muscle movement rather than rigid hydraulics.
1X's EVE android.
EVE is equipped with cameras and sensors to perceive and interact with surroundings. It can navigate complex environments and manipulate objects. The android operates autonomously by default, using artificial intelligence to navigate workspaces. EVE is able to open doors with different handles, see people or objects from a distance, and move through unstructured space as people do. It can perform tasks including patrolling an office building, checking ID badges, and identifying potential dangers, reporting them back to an operator who can take control of EVE's motor functions to take specific actions or make important decisions.
EVE specifications:
- Height—1.86 meters
- Weight—86 kilograms
- Top speed—14.4 kilometers/hour
- Carry capacity—15 kilograms
- Run time—6 hours (on a 1 hour charge)
EVE is available for purchase for commercial industries. Upon delivery, a 1X team member trains staff to safely interact with and operate the android or androids. This includes how to use 1XOS and assuming control of EVE.
NEO is a bipedal android under development with humanoid hands designed for general applications, fitting into the user's everyday life as an intelligent assistant. NEO is intended to look and move more like a human compared to EVE. The android has a head, torso, arms, and legs and will walk, grab things, and communicate through facial expressions.
1X's NEO android.
NEO’s vision and movement can be taken over by a remote human operator. Its body is engineered with muscle-like anatomy instead of rigid hydraulics. The android can walk, jog, climb stairs, and navigate space naturally. NEO has a wide range of capabilities in sectors such as security, logistics, manufacturing, operating machinery, and handling complex tasks. Long term, 1X envisions NEO providing valuable home assistance and performing chores like cleaning and organizing. With embodied artificial intelligence, NEO continuously learns and improves, becoming smarter and more capable over time.
NEO Specifications:
- Height—1.65 meters
- Weight—30 kilograms
- Top speed—4 kilometers/hour (walk speed), 12 kilometers/hour (run speed)
- Carry capacity—20 kilograms
- Run time—2-4 hours
The Norwegian company was founded as Halodi Robotics in 2014 by CEO Bernt Øivind Børnich to develop general-purpose robots that can work alongside humans. In 2018, the company announced the Revo1, a high torque-to-weight drive servo motor for low-gear ratio robotics. The Revo1 was inspired by human biology, mimicking organic muscle movements. In 2019, the company opened its first international office in California. In 2020, they announced a partnership with Everon by ADT Commercial with a contract to deliver 150-250 androids for nighttime security at US commercial buildings. Also in 2019, Sunnaas Hospital in Norway began HIRO (Human Interactive Robotics for Healthcare), a project to use robotic assistant EVE in healthcare. In April 2021, the company secured an investment from Everon to develop androids to complement its physical security solutions. The company partnered with OpenAI in 2022 to integrate AI into their robotics technology. In March 2023, Halodi Robotics rebranded to 1X and announced an agreement with Everon to provide 140 androids.
