The ChatGPT creators are investing heavily in a Norwegian robot company

The start-up company from Moss works closely on a classic vision of the future, and develops robots that resemble humans. Last year included 1X Technologiesas the company is now called after a recent name change from Halodi Robotics, for example an agreement to produce 140 so-called humanoid robots to be used as security guards in the United States.

The site has a founder and general manager Bernt Øyvind Børnich spent a lot of time on the other side of the Atlantic, and in the process made several exciting acquaintances.

Now the company is ready to move up a division, after raising 23.5 million dollars, equivalent to 244 million kroner in growth capital. Main investor is probably the tech world’s most talked about company so far this year: OpenAI.

– 1X is at the forefront of improving the labor market through the use of safe and advanced technology in robotics, says the chief operating officer (COO) of OpenAI and head of their investment arm Startup Fund, Brad Lightcapin a press release.

– We strongly believe in the approach and the impact 1X can have on future working life, he says.

– Revolutionary

In addition to OpenAI, it has the world-renowned investment fund Tiger Global entered the owner’s side.

– We believe that the androids of 1X are revolutionizing the field of robotics and are excited to invest together with OpenAI to support their further growth, says Tiger partner Griffin Schroeder in the same message.

A handful of Norwegian investors also inject capital in this round. Among them are Sandwater, Alliance Ventures and Skagerak Capital.

The price

The parties have not commented on the price tag, which is set at 1X. The last time the company raised money was in May 2021. Then they banked up NOK 86 million for a valuation of NOK 597 million. The investors were Valinor, Autostore founder Jacob Hatteland, as well as the American security company ADT Commercial, which is the company that ordered the aforementioned weighing robots.

Since then, technology companies worldwide have had to endure strong price adjustments. At the same time, OpenAI has made available technology that is referred to as revolutionary, which has caused Microsoft to fork over enormous sums.

Now the world’s probably most talked about company has caught the eye of a Norwegian startup from Moss.

Share vision

The Norwegian company, which was started in 2014, plans to use the money to build a new robot called Neo, as well as scale the production of the already available Eve robot in Norway and North America.

Founder and general manager Bernt Øyvind Børnich believes 1X and OpenAi share visions, and justifies this with the fact that both companies want to integrate emerging technologies into the everyday lives of most people.

– With the support of our investors, we will continue to make significant progress in robotics and strengthen the global labor market, he says.