The company plans to allocate this newly secured capital towards the launch of its second-generation android, named NEO. NEO, designed as a bipedal humanoid, is specifically developed for home assistance, providing a broad spectrum of support for various household tasks within the consumer market. Additionally, the investment will bolster 1X’s ongoing support for its enterprise clients in sectors such as logistics and security.

1X's commitment to creating androids that can safely operate in human environments, coupled with their innovative approach to embodied learning for data gathering, places the company at the cutting edge of AI and robotics technology.

“We are thrilled that these leading investors are supporting 1X’s mission of safely deploying Androids with Smart Behavior into new markets. Our next milestone will be scaling our data collection strategy for Embodied AI and offering NEO to consumers,” says Bernt Øivind Børnich, CEO of 1X.

Following the successful closure of a Series A funding round in March 2023, led by OpenAI and Tiger Global, 1X has now amassed over $125 million in funding within a span of less than a year. This substantial financial backing is set to bolster the company's mission to manufacture advanced and safe androids on a commercial scale. The aim is to address the growing global labour demands and contribute to the creation of a prosperous society.

In conjunction with this funding round, 1X also executed a significant secondary transaction, in which existing shareholders Sandwater and Skagerak Capital were participants. This phase of the investment also welcomed new investors, including Samsung NEXT and the Nistad group. This move was strategic in ensuring the liquidity of stock options for the company's long-term employees, reflecting 1X’s commitment to its workforce as it continues its trailblazing journey in the realm of AI and robotics.

“This is the first time we are able to offer a payout to our dedicated team. Their contributions have been pivotal to our success. As we embark on this exciting new chapter, we look forward to continuing to recognise and reward the efforts of our team, both past and future. Let's continue to innovate and lead our industry,” says Bernt.

“From Leonardo da Vinci, to today’s sci-fi, humans have dreamt of humanoid robots for more than 500 years. It’s a privilege to witness the enabling technologies form in front of our eyes, in real time. The impact of androids joining our human workforce, on our terms will be transformative (to say the least). We’re convinced 1X with their NEO androids will play a crucial role in the pioneering steps towards the first forays of our technological and human future,” says Ted Persson, Partner, EQT Ventures.