1X begins production of NEO humanoids in California facility - The Robot Report
“Humanoid robots require high-performance, real-time AI inference and continuous training and testing in simulation for safe and reliable operation,” said Deepu Talla, vice president of robotics and edge AI at NVIDIA.
Key takeaways
The most recent developments in humanoid robotics show a surge of production‑scale efforts, new biomimetic designs, and breakthroughs in AI‑driven manipulation. 1X Technologies has opened a fully integrated factory in Hayward, California, and begun full‑scale production of its NEO humanoid, which uses NVIDIA’s Jetson Thor processor and the Isaac robotics platform. After a sold‑out launch in October, the company says domestic shipments to consumers are slated to start in 2026. In Shanghai, DroidUp unveiled Moya, a 1.65‑metre, 32‑kilogram robot that mimics human tissue movement with pneumatic muscles, holds eye contact, and reproduces micro‑expressions; the firm targets a commercial release for late 2026 at a price of about 1.2 million yuan, aiming at healthcare and education institutions. Hyundai’s robotics plans remain constrained by the limited output of Boston Dynamics’s Atlas units—about four per month—but a new Boston Dynamics manufacturing facility is expected to enable mass production of Atlas as it transitions from prototype to production. Meanwhile, Unitree’s G1 humanoid is gaining public attention after journalist Joanna Stern documented its operation in a U.S. home, highlighting both its capabilities and safety quirks. On the AI front, Genesis AI has introduced the GENE‑26.5 foundation model and a human‑sized robotic hand that closes the “embodiment gap,” allowing robots to learn complex manipulation tasks from human data; the startup plans to showcase its first general‑purpose robot built on this technology later this year. Finally, industry analysis cautions that while humanoid robots will become important, early market value will likely be confined to niche applications where safety, dexterity and economics align, rather than broad consumer deployment.
“Humanoid robots require high-performance, real-time AI inference and continuous training and testing in simulation for safe and reliable operation,” said Deepu Talla, vice president of robotics and edge AI at NVIDIA. “By using NVIDIA Jetson Thor as the brain and the NVIDIA Isaac open robotics platform as its training ground, 1X is able to accelerate the development and deployment of intelligent robots like NEO that can work safely alongside humans.”
1X plans to ship humanoid to consumers this year
While the first year’s production sold out within five days of the October launch, 1X Technologies said it is currently using the Hayward line to supply its research and development and internal home-testing programs.
Domestic shipments to the public are scheduled to begin in 2026. “This is more than just a factory opening — it’s proof that the future of humanoid robotics is being built right here in the U.S.,” stated Bernt Børnich, founder and CEO of 1X. “We’re not dreaming about abundance; we’re manufacturing it. More production means more robots, and more robots mean the fastest path to physical AI. Production is happening now, and American consumers will be among the first in the world to welcome NEO into their homes.”
NEO factory is vertically integrated, uses robots
1X Technologies said its production process includes several specialized zones: The Robot Report
1X begins production of NEO humanoids in California facility
By Mike Oitzman |
1X is hiring staffers for its new humanoid robot factory in California. | Credit: 1X Technologies
1X Technologies AS this week said launched full-scale production at its new facility in Hayward, Calif. It serves as the primary hub for NEO, the company’s humanoid robot designed to operate quietly—at a decibel level lower than a modern refrigerator—while navigating domestic spaces.
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