1X Acquires Kind Humanoid, Strengthening its Position in Home Robotics

1X Acquires Kind Humanoid, Strengthening its Position in Home Robotics

OpenAI-backed 1X has acquired Kind Humanoid, a Palo Alto-based robotics startup, marking a significant move in the emerging household robotics sector. The acquisition brings together two companies focused on developing general-purpose humanoid robots designed to work and learn alongside humans in domestic settings.

Key Points:

  • Kind Humanoid, a three-person startup founded by former Google robotics researcher Christoph Kohstall, will join 1X's Bay Area operations
  • The deal combines Kind's expertise in bio-inspired design and large language models with 1X's established presence in humanoid robotics
  • Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed

The merger represents a strategic alignment in philosophy and technical approach between the two companies. Kind Humanoid, operating from what CEO Kohstall describes as a "small garage" in the East Bay, had been developing Mona, a bipedal robot designed for home use and healthcare applications. The startup had recently partnered with renowned industrial designer Yves Béhar to shape their first commercial robot.

"It's rare to find someone who is not just a powerhouse engineer but also completely aligned philosophically and strategically on how humanoids as products should take shape," says Bernt Bornich, CEO of 1X. The Norwegian company, which secured $100 million in Series B funding last year from investors including Tiger Global and OpenAI, has been making steady progress in the humanoid robotics space.

Android Maker 1X Raises $100M Series B to Bring Humanoid Robot NEO to Market
The Norway-based startup, which is backed by OpenAI’s startup fund, intends to use the capital injection to increase its production volume from dozens to hundreds of units per month.

While many robotics companies are focusing on industrial applications, 1X and Kind Humanoid share a vision of developing robots specifically for domestic environments. This approach contrasts with competitors like Agility Robotics, which has partnered with logistics companies, and Figure AI, which recently began shipping robots to BMW Group for automotive production.

Kohstall, who will join the 1X team, sees the acquisition as a natural progression. "From starting out in a small garage to now becoming part of a team that shares our belief in humanoids living and learning among us, this acquisition brings our vision closer to reality," he says.

1X Unveils NEO: A Humanoid Robot for the Home
What stands out most in these demonstrations is not just what NEO does, but how it does it—silently, efficiently, and with a level of dexterity that appear convincingly human-like.

The deal comes at a time when the humanoid robotics industry appears to be gaining momentum. 1X has demonstrated significant progress in voice control and task chaining, while unveiling their NEO Beta prototype in August 2024. The combined expertise of both companies could accelerate the development of practical, safe, and intelligent humanoid robots for everyday use.

Chris McKay is the founder and chief editor of Maginative. His thought leadership in AI literacy and strategic AI adoption has been recognized by top academic institutions, media, and global brands.

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