1X, the AI and robotics company behind NEO, the first commercially available humanoid robot, has announced a strategic partnership with EQT, one of the world’s largest private equity organizations and an early investor in the company through EQT Ventures. This collaboration sets the stage for one of the world’s most ambitious rollouts of general-purpose humanoid robots and reflects a shared belief that robotic technologies are ready for real-world deployment at commercial scale.
Through this partnership, 1X and EQT intend to make up to 10,000 humanoid robots available to EQT’s global portfolio companies between 2026 and 2030. Each company within EQT’s network will independently evaluate potential implementation, but the agreement provides early access to 1X’s production capabilities and integration expertise. This creates a pathway for businesses to adopt humanoid robotics as they face talent shortages, rising operational demands, and the need to enhance workforce productivity without compromising safety.
The collaboration will initially focus on high-impact use cases such as logistics, warehousing, facility operations, industrial workflows, manufacturing, and healthcare support, where humanoid robots can work alongside people and complement existing processes. Pilot programs are scheduled to begin in the United States in 2026, followed by expansion into Europe and Asia as production scales.
Bernt Øivind Børnich, Founder and CEO of 1X, stated that the partnership marks a moment when humanoid robotics moves firmly into the “real economy,” noting that EQT’s global presence and operational depth make it an ideal partner for safe and responsible deployment. Ted Persson, Partner at EQT Ventures, emphasized that the goal is not to replace human workers but to empower them by enabling higher productivity, safer operations, and more resilient labor models.
The partnership highlights a joint vision for a future in which humanoid robots operate alongside people to reinforce industrial strength, support essential services, and increase operational efficiency. With this announcement, 1X advances its position at the forefront of the global effort to commercialize humanoid robotics at scale and bring artificial labor solutions into mainstream use.
