OpenAI backs Norwegian bipedal robot startup in $23m round
1X Technologies in Norway (formerly Halodi Robotics) has raised $23m to commercialise its AI-enabled bipedal robot led by the company behind ChatGPT.
“Over the past eight years, we have developed unique actuator systems and AI, commercializing an android that now serves the US enterprise markets,” said 1X. “We believe that our new name, 1X, better reflects who we are as a company and our vision to augment labour using androids.”
The Series A2 funding round led by OpenAI raised $23.5 million with participation from Tiger Global and a consortium of Norway-based investors, including Sandwater, Alliance Ventures, and Skagerak Capital.
The cash will be used to build the upcoming NEO bipedal android as well as scale manufacturing of its first commercially available wheeled android EVE in Norway and North America. The company was founded in 2014 and has 560 staff globally having previously raised $13m.
“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.”
“We believe 1X’s androids are revolutionizing the field of robotics and are excited to be investing alongside OpenAI to support their continued growth,” said Tiger Global partner Griffin Schroeder.
“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.
“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,” he said.
“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,” said Espen Kjellsen, Partner at Skagerak Capital.
