1X humanoid robots are no longer just for the home. The robotics startup has signed a major strategic partnership that will send thousands of its Neo humanoid robots into factories, warehouses, and logistics hubs over the next several years. The deal, announced in December 2025, links 1X with EQT, a Swedish investment giant and one of the company’s backers. Under the agreement, up to 10,000 robots could be deployed between 2026 and 2030. For a robot marketed as “consumer-ready,” the move raises big questions about where humanoid robotics is headed next. It also highlights how investor ecosystems can rapidly reshape a startup’s roadmap. In short, 1X’s home robot is getting an unexpected industrial career.
Credit: 1X1X Humanoid Robots Get a Major EQT Boost
The partnership gives 1X direct access to more than 300 EQT portfolio companies across multiple industries. Many of these firms operate in manufacturing, logistics, and warehousing, making them natural candidates for humanoid automation. Instead of a single bulk buyer, 1X will negotiate individual contracts with interested companies. This structure allows each deployment to be tailored to specific operational needs. EQT Ventures, which backs 1X, played a key role in facilitating the relationship. From a business perspective, the deal dramatically accelerates 1X’s go-to-market strategy. It also gives EQT portfolio companies early access to advanced humanoid systems. For both sides, the arrangement reduces friction in testing and scaling robotics.
A Surprising Shift From Consumer to Industrial Use
What makes the deal stand out is how Neo has been positioned until now. 1X has consistently described Neo as a robot designed for personal and household use. Marketing materials emphasize chores, human interaction, and living-room-friendly design. Unlike competitors such as Figure, 1X did not initially target factories or warehouses. This partnership signals a meaningful pivot, even if the company still frames Neo as consumer-first. Industrial environments offer faster ROI and clearer use cases than private homes. As a result, the move feels pragmatic rather than contradictory. It reflects where demand for capable humanoids is strongest today.
Why Factories and Warehouses Want Humanoids
Industrial operators face persistent labor shortages, especially in repetitive and physically demanding roles. Humanoid robots promise flexibility that traditional automation lacks. Unlike fixed machines, they can navigate spaces designed for people. Warehouses and factories are also more controlled than homes, making deployment easier. Tasks like material handling, basic assembly, and logistics support are ideal early use cases. For companies, humanoids offer the potential to scale operations without constantly redesigning infrastructure. This explains why EQT’s industrial-heavy portfolio is such a strong match. The economics simply make more sense at scale.
Neo vs. Eve Industrial: Blurred Product Lines
1X already has an industrial-focused robot called Eve Industrial, which makes Neo’s inclusion notable. The company confirmed that this EQT deal specifically involves the Neo humanoid. That decision suggests Neo’s capabilities overlap more with industrial needs than previously advertised. It also hints at a convergence between consumer and enterprise robotics design. Maintaining separate platforms can be costly for startups. Using Neo across environments could streamline development and production. However, it also risks diluting the robot’s original consumer identity. For now, 1X appears willing to test that balance.
Preorders Told a Very Different Story
When 1X opened preorders for Neo in October, the messaging was clearly home-focused. The $20,000 price point positioned the robot as a premium consumer product. Announcements highlighted household chores and social interaction rather than productivity metrics. There was little mention of factories or logistics work. That contrast makes the EQT deal feel abrupt to outside observers. Yet behind the scenes, enterprise interest may have been building for months. Startups often test multiple markets before committing publicly. This deal simply makes that shift visible.
Investor Influence Shapes Robotics Roadmaps
The partnership underscores how investors can shape a startup’s direction. EQT is not just a financial backer but a gateway to hundreds of potential customers. For 1X, that access is difficult to ignore. Selling robots one home at a time is slow and expensive. Enterprise deployments, by contrast, can involve dozens or hundreds of units per customer. Investors with large portfolios can dramatically shorten sales cycles. In this case, EQT’s influence aligns with commercial realities. It’s a reminder that robotics innovation often follows capital pathways.
What This Means for the Consumer Robot Dream
Despite the industrial focus, 1X has not abandoned the home vision. The company continues to describe Neo as consumer-ready. However, widespread household adoption remains years away. Cost, safety, and reliability are still major hurdles. Industrial environments provide valuable real-world data to improve performance. Those lessons could eventually feed back into consumer versions. In that sense, factories may become the testing ground for future home robots. The path to living rooms may run through warehouses first.
Competition in the Humanoid Robotics Race
The humanoid robotics space is heating up fast. Companies like Figure and Tesla are openly targeting industrial deployments. By contrast, 1X initially differentiated itself with a consumer-first narrative. This EQT deal narrows that distinction. It places 1X more squarely in the enterprise race. The difference lies in branding rather than capability. As competition intensifies, flexibility may become a key advantage. Companies that can serve both markets could outpace more narrowly focused rivals.
Scaling Up: 10,000 Robots by 2030
Shipping up to 10,000 robots over four years is an ambitious goal. It implies confidence in manufacturing, supply chains, and software maturity. Each deployment will generate operational feedback at scale. That data is crucial for improving autonomy and reliability. It also builds credibility with future customers. Few humanoid startups have announced numbers this large. If successful, the rollout could redefine expectations for the sector. It positions 1X as a serious industrial player.
A Defining Moment for 1X Humanoid Robots
Ultimately, the EQT partnership marks a turning point for 1X humanoid robots. What began as a vision for the home is evolving into a broader platform strategy. The move reflects market demand, investor influence, and economic reality. It does not end the consumer dream, but it reframes the journey. Factories and warehouses are becoming the proving ground for humanoid intelligence. For 1X, this deal could determine whether Neo becomes a niche gadget or a foundational robot for the modern workforce. Either way, the future of humanoids just took a decisive step forward.
