SoftBank is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire a majority stake in 1X Technologies, an OpenAI-backed humanoid robot maker, at a $6 billion valuation. This potential acquisition highlights significant investment interest in the humanoid robotics sector, positioning 1X as a direct competitor to Tesla's Optimus robot.
SoftBank is reportedly close to acquiring a majority stake in 1X Technologies for $6 billion, a significant jump from its previous valuations. This move signals SoftBank's continued aggressive investment in AI and robotics, particularly in a sector where Tesla is also a key player with its Optimus robot. For SoftBank, this represents a potential high-growth opportunity, while for Tesla, it introduces a formidable competitor that appears to be ahead in commercialization, having already taken reservations for its NEO robot. Short-term, this could put pressure on Tesla's robotics narrative, while long-term, it intensifies the race for market dominance in humanoid robots, potentially accelerating innovation but also increasing capital expenditure requirements for all players.