In 2025-03, Norwegian robotics startup 1X announced plans to begin early testing of its humanoid robot, Neo Gamma, in residential settings. According to the company’s CEO, Bernt Børnich, the deployment target is “a few hundred to a few thousand” homes by the end of 2025. The statement, made to TechCrunch, frames the initiative as an invitation to early adopters to participate in the robot’s development process.
The core purpose of these in-home trials is data collection. 1X intends to gather operational information on how Neo Gamma behaves in domestic environments, using that data to refine its in-house AI models and upgrade the robot’s capabilities. Børnich described the approach as wanting the robot to “live and learn among people,” which requires households to take Neo into their daily routines and help teach it appropriate behavior.
Neo Gamma is described as a soft-sided humanoid robot, a design choice that appears oriented toward safe interaction in home settings. The robot is the company’s latest creation, following earlier iterations in its product line. While the company has not disclosed specific technical specifications for Neo Gamma in the source material, the design emphasis on soft materials suggests a focus on human-robot proximity.
The announcement places 1X within a broader competitive landscape. Figure, a Bay Area-based competitor with an active social media presence, announced in February 2025 that it would also begin home tests of its humanoid robots during the same year. Weeks after that announcement, Bloomberg reported that Figure was in talks for a $1.5 billion fundraise at a valuation of $40 billion. OpenAI, which is an investor in 1X, is also reportedly exploring the development of its own humanoid robots.
1X’s funding trajectory has been notable. The company moved its headquarters from Norway to Silicon Valley in the summer of 2025. According to the source material, 1X is preparing a new funding round that could bring in $1 billion at a valuation of $10 billion. This would represent more than a tenfold increase in valuation in under a year. For context, the source material notes that Figure recently reached a $39 billion valuation, indicating the scale of capital flowing into the humanoid robotics sector.
On the technical side, Børnich stated that 1X trains its core AI technology in-house today. The company does, however, “occasionally” co-train AI models with partners, including OpenAI and Nvidia. This distinction matters because it clarifies the boundary between external investment and internal capability development. While OpenAI’s backing provides financial and potentially technical support, 1X maintains that its foundational AI work is conducted internally.
The source material does not disclose specific timelines for when in-home tests will begin, beyond the end-of-2025 target. It also does not specify which geographic markets will be prioritized, how participants will be selected, or what compensation or terms early adopters might receive. These details remain undisclosed as of the publication date.
Why it matters for European robot service
The 1X announcement carries particular significance for the European robotics ecosystem, even though the company has relocated its headquarters to Silicon Valley. 1X originated in Norway, and its trajectory from a Scandinavian startup to a Silicon Valley-headquartered firm with a potential $10 billion valuation illustrates both the opportunities and challenges facing European robotics ventures.
For European robot service providers, the in-home testing initiative represents a validation of the “household helper” market segment. The source material describes this as an emerging market attracting significant attention and capital. When a company with 1X’s backing — including investment from OpenAI — commits to residential deployment, it signals that domestic humanoid robots are moving from concept demonstrations to real-world trials. This shift has implications for service providers who may eventually need to support, maintain, and integrate such systems.
The data collection aspect is particularly relevant. 1X’s stated goal is to build a large, valuable dataset from early adopters’ homes. This dataset will be used to train AI models and improve Neo Gamma’s capabilities. For the broader industry, this means that the first wave of home deployments will generate proprietary training data that could create competitive advantages. European companies without similar data collection programs may find themselves at a disadvantage in AI model development, unless they pursue alternative strategies such as partnerships or synthetic data generation.
The competitive dynamics described in the source material — with Figure, OpenAI, and Tesla all active in or near the humanoid home market — suggest that capital intensity will be high. Figure’s reported $40 billion valuation and 1X’s potential $10 billion valuation indicate that investors are willing to fund ambitious timelines. European robot service firms operating in adjacent markets, such as professional cleaning, elder care, or logistics, should monitor these developments because the technology curve may eventually intersect with their service offerings.
There is also a regulatory dimension. The source material does not discuss European Union regulations on AI or robotics, but the fact that 1X chose to move its headquarters to Silicon Valley raises questions about where humanoid robot testing will be most feasible. European readers should note that in-home testing of autonomous robots involves data privacy considerations, particularly under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The source material does not address how 1X plans to handle data collection in European homes, if any, so this remains an open question.
For European robot service companies, the practical takeaway is that the home humanoid market is accelerating faster than many anticipated. The source material indicates that 1X aims to deploy several thousand units in homes during 2025. Even if the actual number lands at the lower end of the stated range, that represents a significant real-world testing footprint. Service providers who position themselves now to offer installation, training, maintenance, or data services for such robots could capture early-mover advantages.
The in-house AI training approach also matters. Børnich’s statement that 1X trains its core AI technology internally, with occasional co-training alongside OpenAI and Nvidia, suggests that vertical integration is a strategic priority. For European firms that rely on third-party AI models, this trend toward proprietary training could affect the availability of off-the-shelf solutions. Companies may need to invest more in their own data pipelines or form strategic alliances to remain competitive.
What buyers and operators should know
For potential early adopters and operators considering participation in 1X’s home testing program, the source material provides limited but important information. The company has not disclosed the specific selection criteria for participating households, the geographic scope of the rollout, or the terms of participation. Buyers and operators should therefore approach any engagement with appropriate due diligence and clarify these details directly with 1X.
The stated deployment range — “a few hundred to a few thousand” homes — is broad. This range suggests that 1X itself may not have finalized its production and logistics plans. Operators should recognize that the actual number of units deployed could vary significantly. The source material does not specify whether these units will be sold, leased, or provided free of charge to early adopters. This distinction is material for anyone considering participation.
The robot’s capabilities are also not fully disclosed in the source material. Neo Gamma is described as a soft-sided humanoid robot designed for home use, but the specific tasks it can perform, its battery life, its sensor suite, and its safety features are not detailed. Børnich’s comment that early adopters will help “teach it how to behave” suggests that the robot’s behavior is still under development. Operators should not expect a finished consumer product; this is explicitly a test program aimed at data collection and iterative improvement.
The data collection aspect has privacy implications. The source material states that 1X aims to collect data on how Neo Gamma operates in the home and that early adopters will help create a large, valuable dataset. What this means in practice — what data is recorded, how it is stored, who has access, and how long it is retained — is not disclosed. Prospective participants should request a clear data handling policy before agreeing to host a robot.
The funding situation provides some context for 1X’s stability. The company is reportedly preparing a funding round that could raise $1 billion at a $10 billion valuation. If completed, this would provide substantial resources for continued development. However, the source material does not confirm that this round has closed. Operators should be aware that the company’s financial position is subject to change and that a valuation increase does not guarantee product maturity.
The competitive landscape also matters for operators. Figure’s announced home tests and OpenAI’s reported interest in building humanoid robots suggest that multiple players will be vying for early adopter attention. This competition could benefit consumers through better terms or faster iteration, but it also means that no single platform has yet established a dominant standard. Operators who commit to one ecosystem may face switching costs if another platform gains market traction.
The source material does not provide information on maintenance, repair, or spare parts for Neo Gamma. It also does not disclose expected service intervals, failure rates, or warranty terms. Operators should not assume that standard consumer electronics support models will apply. Humanoid robots are complex electromechanical systems, and the service infrastructure for them is likely still being developed.
For European operators specifically, there is an additional consideration: 1X’s headquarters relocation to Silicon Valley may affect service availability in Europe. The source material does not state whether 1X has established European service centers or support teams. Operators in Europe should clarify this before making any commitments.
Finally, the source material notes that 1X “occasionally” co-trains AI models with OpenAI and Nvidia. This means that the robot’s behavior may be influenced by models developed in collaboration with these partners. For operators concerned about data governance or AI transparency, this is a relevant detail. The extent of this co-training and how it affects Neo Gamma’s decision-making is not disclosed.
In summary, the 1X home testing announcement is significant for the humanoid robotics industry, but it leaves many operational details unspecified. Buyers and operators should treat this as an early-stage development program rather than a mature product launch. The company’s ambitious deployment targets and substantial funding indicate momentum, but the practical realities of in-home robotics — safety, reliability, data privacy, and service support — remain to be demonstrated at scale.
Sources
1X will test humanoid robots in ‘a few hundred’ homes in 2025
Published by Vigla Media OÜ (Estonia).