1X, the AI and robotics company behind NEO, the first ready-to-ship humanoid robot, has entered into a strategic partnership with private equity giant EQT in a move that could accelerate the commercial adoption of general-purpose humanoid robots across global industries. EQT, which invested in 1X through EQT Ventures, aims to support 1X as it prepares for a significant deployment opportunity spanning the next several years.
The companies announced a joint intent to make up to 10,000 humanoid robots available across EQT’s global portfolio of more than 300 companies between 2026 and 2030. The individual portfolio companies will make any implementation decisions. If realized, the initiative would mark one of the earliest and most ambitious commercial-scale rollouts of humanoid robots, signaling rapid progress in an emerging category moving from concept to enterprise-readiness.
Through the partnership, EQT portfolio companies will gain early access to 1X’s production capabilities and integration support, offering early adopters a potential competitive advantage as industries navigate workforce transformation and rising operational demands. The collaboration will target use cases where robots work alongside people, including industrial software, logistics, warehousing, manufacturing, facility operations, and healthcare environments.
1X plans to begin pilot deployments in the United States in 2026, before rapidly expanding across Europe and Asia. The partnership reflects a broader shared vision of responsibly integrating humanoid robotics into the economy to improve productivity, enhance safety, and support more sustainable labor models. For 1X, the announcement reinforces its position as one of the leading contenders in the race to commercialize general-purpose humanoid robots at scale.
KEY QUOTES
“This partnership brings humanoid robotics into the real economy. EQT’s global reach and operational expertise make them the ideal partner to help deploy our technology safely, responsibly, and at scale. Together, we aim to demonstrate how humanoid robots can enhance productivity, improve safety, and create more sustainable labor models worldwide.”
Bernt Øivind Børnich, Founder And CEO Of 1X
“Humanoid robotics is moving from fiction to real-world deployment, and 1X is uniquely positioned to lead the next wave of mass-market robotic adoption. This isn’t about replacing people, it’s about giving them superpowers. By making 1X’s technology available to our portfolio companies, we help them tackle labor shortages, improve safety, and unlock new levels of productivity in the industries that keep the world running.”
Ted Persson, Lead Partner In EQT Ventures
