OpenAI-backed 1X opens California factory to build 10,000 home robots
▼ Summary
– 1X Technologies opened a 58,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Hayward, California, to produce its NEO humanoid robot.
– The NEO robot is a general-purpose humanoid designed for private homes, marking the first large-scale US push in this market.
– Shipments of the NEO robot are planned for this year.
– The company is Norway-founded and operates a vertically integrated factory.
– The humanoid robot field is already crowded with competitors.
Norway-based 1X Technologies has officially launched a 58,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Hayward, California, dedicated to producing its NEO humanoid robot at consumer scale. This marks the first major U.S. push to bring a general-purpose humanoid robot into private homes, with initial shipments slated for this year.
The factory, described as a vertically integrated production hub, is designed to ramp up to an output of 10,000 units annually. With the home robotics market already crowded by competitors like Tesla, Figure, and Agility Robotics, 1X aims to differentiate through a focus on safety, affordability, and real-world household utility.
“We are building robots that are meant to live with people, not just work in factories,” said a company spokesperson. The NEO robot is engineered for tasks such as cleaning, organizing, and assisting with daily routines, positioning it as a practical consumer appliance rather than an industrial tool.
The Hayward site will handle everything from component assembly to final testing, giving 1X tight control over quality and cost. The company, backed by OpenAI, has raised significant capital to scale production and accelerate deployment.
As humanoid robotics move closer to mainstream adoption, 1X’s factory represents a bet that the home is the next frontier for automation. The question now is whether the technology can deliver on its promise before the competition catches up.
(Source: The Next Web)
