Norwegian-based engineering and robotics company, 1X, previously known as Halodi Robotics, has secured $23.5 million in a Series A2 funding round. The round was led by OpenAI’s Startup Fund, the maker of Chat GPT, with Tiger Global, Sandwater, Alliance Ventures, and Skagerak Capital among the participating backers.
1X has a team of approximately 60 employees and specializes in the development of humanoid robots capable of human-like movement and activities. Its main product, NEO, is a bipedal robot. The company intends to use the funds to further enhance NEO’s capabilities, with the ultimate goal of replacing human laborers involved in construction and manufacturing industries.
The company’s other key product, EVE, is a high-mobility robot equipped with wheels as feet. EVE is capable of gentle movement, manipulating objects, and interacting with the world, making it ideal for use in various real-world applications. The robot uses shared autonomy, which is a base level of training to move around spaces, turn corners, and open doors.
1X intends to use the funds received to scale up manufacturing of the first commercially available robot, EVE, in Norway and North America. The company aims to deploy the androids first in North America before marketing them globally to ensure safety and proper testing before release.
Apart from industrial use, androids like EVE may also be deployed in homes once they prove to be safe for domestic use. With no need for food, water, or rest, androids are more efficient and cost-effective than human laborers.
According to information available on 1X’s website, the company lists NVIDIA, OpenAI, TigerGlobal, and ADT Commercial as its partners. ADT Commercial is a division of Boca Raton, Florida-based providers of home and business security solutions. The company is developing intelligent autonomous guarding solutions, including humanoid robots and drones, to revolutionize the future of security guarding. The first products are expected to be commercially available in 2023.
The sources for this piece include an article in Reddit.