SoftBank is in talks to acquire a majority stake in 1X Technologies, the OpenAI-backed humanoid robotics startup, in a deal that could value the company at approximately $6 billion, according to a report by The Information. The discussions are ongoing and the terms could still change, while Reuters said it could not independently confirm the report. SoftBank declined to comment and 1X did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The potential transaction would deepen SoftBank’s push into physical AI and robotics, an area that founder and CEO Masayoshi Son has identified as a major pillar of the company’s long-term technology strategy. It would also give SoftBank exposure to 1X, a company that has received early backing from OpenAI and is developing humanoid robots designed to operate in real-world environments. OpenAI itself discussed acquiring 1X last year, although those talks did not progress.
SoftBank-1X Deal At A Glance
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Potential buyer | SoftBank |
| Target | 1X Technologies |
| Target type | Humanoid robotics startup |
| OpenAI involvement | Investor since 2023 |
| Proposed stake | Majority stake |
| Reported valuation | ~$6 billion |
| Deal status | Talks ongoing |
| SoftBank confirmation | No |
| 1X confirmation | No |
| Earlier 1X valuation | $820 million in January 2025 |
| OpenAI acquisition discussions | Held in 2025 |
| 1X Series A2 funding | $23.5 million |
| SoftBank ABB robotics deal | $5.4 billion |
| Key 1X robot | NEO |
The reported $6 billion valuation would represent a major increase from the $820 million valuation at which 1X last sold shares in January 2025, although it would be below the $10 billion valuation the company reportedly targeted in a later fundraising effort.
What Is 1X Technologies?
1X Technologies is a humanoid robotics company originally founded in Norway and formerly known as Halodi Robotics.
The company focuses on building robots that can operate around humans and eventually perform physical tasks in environments such as homes and workplaces.
Its technology portfolio includes the wheeled EVE robot and the bipedal NEO humanoid.
When OpenAI led 1X’s $23.5 million Series A2 round in 2023, the companies said the funding would help 1X develop NEO and scale manufacturing of EVE in Norway and North America.
1X’s Robotics Portfolio
| Robot | Role |
|---|---|
| EVE | Wheeled android designed for commercial environments |
| NEO | Bipedal humanoid designed for broader real-world tasks |
| AI systems | Perception, learning and robot control |
| Target markets | Homes, logistics and other physical-work environments |
The company’s broader ambition is to use AI-powered androids to augment human labor and address potential labor shortages.
OpenAI Backed 1X In 2023
OpenAI’s Startup Fund led 1X’s $23.5 million Series A2 round in May 2023.
Other investors included Tiger Global and a group of Norway-based investors, including Sandwater, Alliance Ventures and Skagerak Capital.
The investment was strategically significant because it connected one of the world’s leading AI-model companies with a robotics company attempting to bring those AI capabilities into physical machines.
OpenAI
↓
AI Models
+
1X
↓
Humanoid Robots
↓
Physical AI
↓
Real-World TasksThe potential SoftBank transaction would now add another major technology investor to that ecosystem.
OpenAI Previously Considered Buying 1X
The reported SoftBank discussions have an additional layer because OpenAI and 1X discussed a potential acquisition last year.
According to The Information, those discussions did not progress.
That means SoftBank’s potential investment could give the Japanese technology conglomerate control of a robotics company that OpenAI itself previously considered acquiring.
OpenAI would remain an investor in 1X if the reported transaction does not alter its position.
Why SoftBank Wants 1X
The potential acquisition fits directly into Masayoshi Son’s broader vision of an AI-powered physical economy.
SoftBank’s own corporate strategy identifies AI models, semiconductors, AI infrastructure and robots as four critical areas for realizing what it calls artificial superintelligence.
The company’s annual report says robotics could become a key way for AI to move beyond software and operate in the physical world.
SoftBank’s AI Strategy
SoftBank
│
┌─────────────┼─────────────┐
↓ ↓ ↓
OpenAI Arm AI Infrastructure
↓ ↓ ↓
AI Models Semiconductors Data Centers
│
↓
Robotics
↓
Physical AI
The 1X transaction would therefore fit into a much broader strategy rather than representing an isolated startup investment.
SoftBank Is Already Expanding In Robotics
The company has significantly increased its robotics exposure.
In October 2025, SoftBank agreed to acquire ABB’s robotics business for approximately $5.4 billion.
ABB’s robotics operations are focused largely on industrial automation, including robotic arms and factory applications.
1X would provide a different type of exposure.
SoftBank’s Robotics Strategy
| Asset | Primary Focus |
|---|---|
| ABB robotics business | Industrial automation |
| 1X Technologies | Humanoid / physical AI |
| Agile Robots investment | AI-enabled robotics |
| Previous Boston Dynamics stake | Advanced robotics |
| Former Pepper platform | Consumer/service robotics |
This combination could give SoftBank exposure across industrial and humanoid robotics.
SoftBank Previously Owned Boston Dynamics
SoftBank has a long history with robotics.
It acquired Boston Dynamics from Alphabet in 2017 and later sold an 80% stake to Hyundai Motor Group in 2021.
SoftBank sold its remaining Boston Dynamics shares in July 2026, according to The Information.
The 1X discussions suggest SoftBank has not abandoned robotics despite its earlier experience with Boston Dynamics and Pepper.
Instead, the company appears to be repositioning its robotics strategy around the convergence of AI and physical machines.
1X Is Focused On Humanoid Robots
The biggest attraction for SoftBank could be 1X’s focus on humanoid robots.
Unlike traditional industrial robots that operate in controlled factory environments, humanoids are designed to navigate spaces built for humans.
That potentially opens much larger markets.
Potential Humanoid Applications
- Household chores
- Warehouses
- Logistics
- Security
- Manufacturing
- Elder care
- Hospitality
- Commercial services
The challenge is that robots must be able to perceive complex environments, make decisions and safely manipulate objects.
AI advances are making those capabilities increasingly possible.
1X Is Preparing NEO For Homes
1X began taking $20,000 preorders for its NEO humanoid robot in October 2025, according to The Information.
The company said it received more than 10,000 orders during the first week.
However, The Information reported that no robots had yet been delivered to customers at the time of its latest report.
NEO Commercialization
| Metric | Reported Figure |
|---|---|
| NEO preorder price | $20,000 |
| First-week orders | 10,000+ |
| Planned market | Consumer / home |
| Deliveries | Not yet reported as completed |
| Main objective | Household assistance |
The preorder response demonstrates consumer interest, but large-scale production and reliable operation remain major challenges.
1X’s Valuation Has Changed Rapidly
The reported $6 billion valuation illustrates the dramatic increase in investor expectations around humanoid robotics.
1X Valuation Timeline
| Period | Valuation |
|---|---|
| January 2025 | $820 million |
| Later fundraising target | $10 billion |
| Current reported SoftBank deal valuation | ~$6 billion |
The proposed $6 billion valuation would be more than seven times the January 2025 valuation.
However, it would also be below the $10 billion valuation 1X reportedly sought in its later fundraising effort.
This suggests that the proposed deal could represent a substantial increase from the company’s previous financing valuation while still reflecting the difficulty of raising capital at the company’s targeted price.
1X Reportedly Sought $1 Billion
The Information reported that 1X attempted last fall to raise $1 billion at a $10 billion valuation, but raised less than half that target.
That fundraising outcome highlights the enormous capital requirements associated with humanoid robotics.
Robotics companies must finance:
- Hardware development
- AI model development
- Manufacturing
- Sensors
- Actuators
- Battery systems
- Data collection
- Testing
- Safety systems
- Customer support
The combination makes humanoid robotics significantly more capital-intensive than many conventional software startups.
AI Makes Humanoid Robotics More Attractive
The recent acceleration in generative AI has changed the economics and technical possibilities of robotics.
Traditional robots generally require highly structured programming.
AI-powered robots can potentially learn from demonstrations, interpret visual information and adapt to unfamiliar environments.
Computer Vision
+
AI Reasoning
+
World Models
+
Robot Control
↓
Physical AI
↓
Humanoid Robot1X has been developing its own AI systems for robot control and real-world learning.
The company unveiled a world model in January that it adapted for robot control, according to The Information.
Physical AI Is SoftBank’s Next Big Bet
SoftBank’s interest reflects a broader shift in the technology industry from digital AI toward physical AI.
The first wave of generative AI focused primarily on:
- Text
- Images
- Video
- Coding
- Digital agents
The next wave aims to connect AI intelligence to physical machines.
Digital AI Vs. Physical AI
| Digital AI | Physical AI |
|---|---|
| Chatbots | Humanoid robots |
| Coding agents | Robot workers |
| Image generation | Computer vision + manipulation |
| Digital assistants | Physical assistants |
| Software automation | Physical labor automation |
SoftBank sees robotics as one of the key ways AI could eventually create economic value outside traditional software.
SoftBank’s ABB Deal Adds Industrial Scale
The ABB robotics acquisition is particularly relevant to the 1X discussions.
ABB provides SoftBank with established industrial robotics capabilities and customer relationships.
1X could complement that portfolio with humanoid technology.
ABB Robotics
+
Industrial Automation
↓
Factories
1X Technologies
+
Humanoid Robotics
↓
Homes + Flexible WorkplacesTogether, the businesses could give SoftBank a broader presence across the robotics market.
The Labor Shortage Opportunity
1X has argued that demographic changes could create significant labor shortages.
Humanoid robots could eventually fill some repetitive physical jobs where labor is expensive or difficult to source.
Potential applications include:
- Warehousing
- Cleaning
- Manufacturing
- Delivery
- Security
- Household work
However, the commercial economics will depend on whether robots can perform tasks reliably at a cost competitive with human labor.
The Biggest Challenge Is Commercialization
Building a humanoid robot that works in a laboratory is different from deploying thousands of machines in homes.
A commercially successful robot needs to:
- Operate safely around people
- Handle unpredictable environments
- Run for long periods
- Be easy to maintain
- Learn new tasks
- Avoid damaging property
- Work reliably
- Be affordable
That makes the path from prototype to mass production difficult.
Humanoid Robotics Challenge
AI Model
↓
Robot Prototype
↓
Safety Testing
↓
Pilot Deployments
↓
Manufacturing
↓
Customer Support
↓
Mass AdoptionSoftBank’s capital and industrial experience could potentially help 1X navigate this commercialization process.
OpenAI Could Remain Strategically Relevant
OpenAI’s investment gives the potential SoftBank-1X deal an additional strategic dimension.
The AI company has already backed 1X and previously discussed acquiring it.
OpenAI has also shown interest in physical devices and robotics, although its hardware strategy has increasingly focused on consumer AI devices.
If SoftBank becomes the controlling shareholder, 1X could still benefit from relationships with OpenAI’s models and technology, depending on the final terms of the transaction.
Deal Terms Could Still Change
It is important to emphasize that the reported transaction has not been completed.
The Information reported that SoftBank is in talks to acquire a majority stake, while Reuters said it could not independently confirm the report.
SoftBank declined to comment and 1X did not immediately respond to Reuters.
The valuation, ownership percentage and other terms could therefore change or the transaction could fail to close.
Why The Deal Matters For The Robotics Industry
If completed, a SoftBank investment at a roughly $6 billion valuation would be another major validation of humanoid robotics.
It could encourage additional capital into:
- Humanoid robots
- AI-controlled machines
- Robot foundation models
- Physical AI
- Industrial automation
- Home robotics
It could also increase competitive pressure on companies developing humanoids.
The Bigger Picture
SoftBank’s reported negotiations to acquire a majority stake in 1X Technologies show how aggressively the company is moving toward the intersection of artificial intelligence and robotics. The proposed transaction could value the OpenAI-backed humanoid developer at approximately $6 billion, significantly above its $820 million valuation in January 2025. For 1X, the capital and industrial backing of SoftBank could provide additional resources to develop its robots and move toward commercial deployment.
For SoftBank, the deal would strengthen a robotics portfolio that already includes its planned $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB’s robotics business and investments in other automation companies. It also fits Masayoshi Son’s broader strategy of combining AI models, semiconductor technology, computing infrastructure and robots to create a physical-AI ecosystem. The company sees robots as a critical component of bringing advanced AI into the real world.
Looking Ahead
The immediate question is whether SoftBank and 1X can reach a definitive agreement. Because negotiations remain ongoing, the reported $6 billion valuation and majority stake should be viewed as proposed terms rather than a completed transaction. If the deal closes, SoftBank could provide 1X with substantial capital and strategic resources as the startup attempts to commercialize NEO and expand its humanoid robotics platform.
The longer-term question is whether humanoid robots can move from impressive demonstrations to economically viable products. 1X’s reported 10,000-plus NEO preorders show significant interest, but mass production, safety, reliability and cost remain major hurdles. For SoftBank, the potential 1X deal represents a bet that advances in AI will finally make general-purpose physical robots commercially viable—and that the companies able to connect AI intelligence with machines will capture a major share of the next technology cycle
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