SoftBank has entered talks to acquire a majority stake in OpenAI-backed humanoid robot developer 1X Technologies in a deal that could value the startup at about $6 billion.
SoftBank 1X Talks Follow Earlier OpenAI Acquisition Discussions
The Information reported on Aug. 26, citing people familiar with the discussions, that SoftBank is negotiating for control of the robotics company, though talks remain ongoing and the terms could still change. Reuters said it could not independently confirm the report, while SoftBank declined to comment and 1X did not immediately respond to its request for comment. A potential agreement would bring 1X under a Japanese investment group that has committed tens of billions of dollars to artificial intelligence companies and infrastructure while increasing its exposure to OpenAI.
OpenAI already has a direct connection to 1X. The ChatGPT developer invested in the company through the OpenAI Startup Fund in 2023, when the fund led a $23.5 million Series A2 round alongside Tiger Global and Norway-based investors. This AI investment push parallels the growing intersection of AI and crypto, as seen with USDC powering 99.3% of x402 AI agent payments.
1X's NEO Robot Received Over 10,000 Orders
Founded as Halodi Robotics before adopting the 1X name, the company has been developing humanoid robots intended to operate around people. Its current consumer product, NEO, is designed as a home robot that can perform household tasks and learn new actions through 1X's Redwood AI model. The company's ordering page lists NEO at $20,000 for an early-access purchase, while a subscription version costs $499 per month. U.S. deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2026, followed by an expansion into other markets from 2027.
According to The Information, 1X received more than 10,000 NEO orders during the first week after opening preorders. No units had been delivered to customers at the time of the report. The publication also reported that 1X sought to raise $1 billion at a $10 billion valuation last fall but secured less than half of the amount it targeted. A transaction with SoftBank at a valuation of about $6 billion would come below the valuation 1X had sought. The AI infrastructure boom driving this investment is also reflected in the NVIDIA revenue hitting $96.2B as AI demand doubles.
SoftBank Has Already Committed $5.4 Billion to ABB Robotics
SoftBank's discussions with 1X come while the company is working to complete another multibillion-dollar robotics acquisition. In October 2025, SoftBank signed an agreement to acquire ABB's robotics business for $5.375 billion. The transaction gives SoftBank 100% of the newly created holding company that will contain the Swiss engineering group's robotics unit, subject to regulatory approvals.
SoftBank chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son described physical AI as the company's next frontier. SoftBank has also committed tens of billions of dollars to OpenAI, including a $10 billion second tranche investment on July 1 through SoftBank Vision Fund 2, with a third $10 billion tranche scheduled for Oct. 1. The Stargate project, announced in January 2025 with Oracle and MGX, plans as much as $500 billion of investment in U.S. AI infrastructure over four years.
