SoftBank Group has entered negotiations to acquire a majority stake in OpenAI-backed humanoid robot developer 1X Technologies in a deal that could value the company at approximately $6 billion, according to an Aug. 26 report by The Information citing people familiar with the discussions.
The talks remain ongoing and terms could still change. SoftBank declined to comment, and 1X did not immediately respond to requests for comment. If completed, the transaction would place 1X under a Japanese investment group that has committed tens of billions of dollars to artificial intelligence companies and infrastructure, while deepening its exposure to OpenAI.
OpenAI already has a direct relationship with 1X. The ChatGPT developer invested through the OpenAI Startup Fund in 2023, leading a $23.5 million Series A2 round alongside Tiger Global and Norway-based investors. The Information also reported that OpenAI and 1X discussed a potential acquisition last year, but those talks did not progress to a transaction.
SoftBank’s interest follows a broader robotics push. In October 2025, SoftBank agreed to acquire ABB’s robotics business for $5.375 billion, a transaction expected to close in 2026. The group has also completed a $10 billion second tranche investment in OpenAI on July 1 through SoftBank Vision Fund 2, part of a $30 billion follow-on commitment announced in February.
1X, originally founded as Halodi Robotics in Norway, is now based in Palo Alto and focused on consumer humanoid robots. Its NEO robot is priced at $20,000 for early-access purchase, with a subscription option at $499 per month. U.S. deliveries are expected to begin in 2026, and the company reportedly received more than 10,000 NEO preorders in the first week after opening sales, although no units had been delivered at the time of the report.
The humanoid robot market is accelerating rapidly. Counterpoint Research reported that global humanoid shipments exceeded 22,000 units in the first half of 2026, up nearly 300% year over year, with Chinese companies AGIBOT and Unitree accounting for roughly 75% of shipments. 1X is pursuing a consumer-focused path rather than industrial automation, betting that home environments can train general-purpose embodied intelligence.
Still, the investment carries risk. SoftBank shares have fallen nearly 50% from their June 2023 highs, and about $30 billion of its obligations are due in the second half of 2026. Investors have also shown volatility in humanoid stocks, with Unitree’s Shanghai debut surging 460% before erasing roughly $30 billion in value over three sessions.
