Authored by Neetika Walter via Interesting Engineering,
1X, a U.S.-based robotics firm, has commenced full-scale production of its humanoid robot NEO at a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Hayward, California.
This facility represents a significant milestone in the journey towards making general-purpose humanoid robots available for household use. The company emphasizes that these robots are designed to operate safely alongside humans, offering assistance with various everyday tasks such as mobility support, light household chores, and regular interactions.
With a sprawling area of 58,000 square feet, the facility currently employs over 200 individuals and is poised for further expansion as production scales up. It has the capacity to manufacture up to 10,000 robots annually, with future plans to exceed 100,000 units by 2027. The setup is designed for agile development as hardware and AI technologies evolve.
The company has witnessed robust initial demand, with its initial production capacity of over 10,000 units being sold out within five days of the launch in October, indicating early commercial interest in humanoid robots for home use.
Full-stack manufacturing push
One of the standout features of the facility is its vertically integrated production approach. 1X designs and produces core components in-house, encompassing motors, batteries, sensors, structures, and transmission systems.
This strategy empowers the company to oversee the entire production process, from handling raw materials to final assembly. It also reduces dependence on external suppliers and facilitates quicker iteration cycles, particularly for hardware enhancements and safety upgrades.
“We are crafting the world’s most secure and dependable humanoid robots right here in Hayward, California,” stated Vikram Kothari, VP of Manufacturing & Hardware.
The company highlights automated motor manufacturing lines and systems within its setup, capable of executing precision tasks like copper coil winding. This high level of integration aims to enhance reliability, minimize production bottlenecks, and efficiently scale up manufacturing without outsourcing critical subsystems.
Robots manufactured at the facility are presently undergoing internal testing, validation, and research phases. Deliveries to customers are slated to commence in 2026, initially targeting early access users before a broader rollout.
AI brains power robots
Each NEO robot harnesses the computational might of NVIDIA’s Jetson Thor platform, serving as the onboard processing unit.
This platform facilitates real-time AI inference directly on the robot, enabling tasks such as perception, reasoning, navigation, and decision-making without heavy reliance on cloud infrastructure. This enhancement improves response times and reduces latency in real-world scenarios.
1X is utilizing NVIDIA’s Isaac simulation tools for training its robots in virtual environments. These simulations allow for extensive reinforcement learning and aid in refining robot behavior prior to deployment in actual home settings.
“Humanoid robots necessitate high-performance, real-time AI inference, as well as continuous training and testing in simulations for safe and reliable operations,” affirmed Deepu Talla, VP of Robotics and Edge AI at NVIDIA.
CEO Bernt Børnich emphasized that the factory signifies a transition from concept to execution. “Production is underway, and American consumers will be among the first globally to welcome NEO into their households.”
NEO will be accessible through an early access program priced at $20,000, with a subscription option starting at $499 per month. The company intends to retail the robots directly through its online platform.
1X asserts that manufacturing robots at scale in the United States will enable expedited delivery, localized support, and swift product enhancements based on user feedback. The company also aims to mitigate supply chain risks by maintaining core manufacturing operations domestically.