From Living Rooms to Factories: The Unexpected Journey of Neo Robots

When Norwegian robotics company 1X first unveiled its $20,000 Neo humanoid robot last year, it was marketed as "your perfect household helper." Now, these domestic droids are getting a factory-floor makeover.

A Strategic Industrial Shift

The company announced today what industry watchers are calling "one of the largest commercial robotics deals": a partnership with Swedish investment giant EQT that could put up to 10,000 Neo robots to work across more than 300 portfolio companies between 2026 and 2030.

"We're seeing tremendous demand from manufacturers struggling with labor gaps," revealed a 1X spokesperson who asked not to be named. "Neo's dexterity translates surprisingly well from folding laundry to packaging goods."

Why Factories Want Household Helpers

The pivot comes despite Neo's original positioning as the first mass-market home humanoid. Its capabilities - from navigating stairs to delicate object manipulation - suddenly look valuable in warehouses and assembly lines.

EQT's backing provides more than just capital. The firm owns stakes in major logistics providers and manufacturers across Europe and North America - ready-made customers hungry for automation solutions.

Industrial Adoption Outpaces Consumer Comfort

While consumers remain wary of robots roaming their homes (privacy concerns top surveys), businesses face pressing incentives:

• Chronic labor shortages in manufacturing (-2.1 million workers projected by 2030)
• Rising wage pressures
• Need for round-the-clock operations

The economics appear compelling too. At $20,000 per unit - roughly one year's salary for many warehouse workers - the ROI timeline shrinks dramatically in commercial settings.

Funding the Future Workforce

The deal caps an impressive funding run for the Oslo-based startup:

• $130 million raised since founding in 2014
• Backers include Tiger Global and EQT Ventures
• Valuation now approaching $500 million

The fresh capital will accelerate production scaling at a time when analysts predict the industrial robotics market will grow 12% annually through 2030.

Key Points:

• Industrial pivot: Neo robots shifting from homes to factories/warehouses
• Scale potential: Up to 10,000 units deployed via EQT network
• Market timing: Labor shortages creating perfect conditions
• Investor confidence: $130M raised signals strong sector belief