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The OpenAI-backed company 1X obtains the Kind humanoid.
CEO Christoph Kohstall emphasizes the company's unique culture and expertise, which align with 1X's mission to enhance labor through intelligent robotics. The partnership reflects a vision of developing humanoids that work in harmony with humans. The acquisition will also facilitate 1X's expansion in the Bay Area, although specific financial details of the deal remain undisclosed. Overall, this acquisition positions 1X to play a pivotal role in the future of humanoid robotics.
1X has acquired Kind Humanoid, a Norwegian robotics startup. This acquisition represents a significant consolidation in the humanoid robotics sector, which is poised for major developments in 2025.
CEO Christoph Kohstall, a former Google robotics researcher, provided a virtual tour of the company’s bustling East Bay headquarters, showcasing their unconventional workspace, which featured an $80 coat rack instead of a traditional ceiling-mounted gantry system.
In addition to attracting Béhar, known for designing products like the Jawbone fitness tracker and One Laptop Per Child, Kind Humanoid has garnered interest from other robotics companies. Meanwhile, 1X has gained attention for its generative AI-driven approach and successful funding rounds, including a notable $100 million raised last January with investors such as Tiger Global and OpenAI. The latter's involvement is particularly significant given the ongoing interest in platforms like ChatGPT. Kind Humanoid has focused on the potential of large language models as more robotics companies aim to develop general intelligence for humanoid robots.
1X stated that Kind Humanoid’s unique expertise and culture align with its mission to create a wealth of labor through safe and intelligent humanoids. The partnership is founded on the belief that humanoids should be developed in conjunction with humans, allowing them to live and learn alongside us.
The acquisition will also enable 1X to expand its operations in the Bay Area, although the specific details of the deal have not been disclosed.
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