1X, a Palo Alto–based artificial intelligence and robotics company, has announced a strategic partnership with global private equity firm EQT to make up to 10,000 humanoid robots available to EQT’s portfolio companies worldwide between 2026 and 2030. EQT is an investor in 1X through EQT Ventures.
Under the agreement, 1X and EQT intend to facilitate the potential rollout of the robots across EQT’s more than 300 portfolio companies, with any deployment decision taken independently by each company. The partnership is positioned as an initial step toward broader commercial adoption of general-purpose humanoid robots across multiple industries.
The collaboration provides EQT portfolio companies with early access to 1X’s production capacity and integration capabilities. The focus is on use cases where robots operate alongside human workers, including logistics, facility operations, warehousing, manufacturing, industrial software environments, and healthcare. Pilot programs are planned to begin in the United States in 2026, followed by expansion into Europe and Asia.
Bernt Øivind Børnich, founder and chief executive officer of 1X, said the partnership is intended to support the deployment of humanoid robots in commercial settings with an emphasis on safety, responsibility, and scale. Ted Persson, lead partner at EQT Ventures, said making 1X’s technology available to EQT’s portfolio companies is aimed at addressing labor constraints and workplace safety while supporting productivity.
The announcement follows 1X’s earlier introduction of NEO, a consumer-focused humanoid robot designed for home use. According to the company, NEO is intended to automate everyday household tasks, provide conversational assistance through integrated artificial intelligence, and expand its capabilities over time through software updates.
1X is a U.S.-based AI and robotics company developing humanoid robots designed to operate around people in both domestic and commercial environments. EQT is a global investment organization with €267 billion in assets under management as of 30 September 2025, spanning private capital and real assets and encompassing approximately 300 portfolio companies worldwide.
