1X CEO: Humanoids Will Change Everything
According to Bernt Øivind Børnich, CEO and founder of Norwegian 1X Technologies, humanoid robots may enter homes and workplaces far sooner than expected. "They are going to play a huge role in addressing problems like the shrinking workforce and supporting the aging population," he says.
On Wednesday, Bernt Øivind Børnich spoke at the Humanoid Summit in Mountain View. He believes humanoids can help societies meet growing challenges.
“We have a shrinking workforce and an aging population. What we often see in health care, at least in Norway, but also over here, is that we're unable to give people proper care and dignity as they age, and it's just the tip of the iceberg.”
But his vision for humanoid robots extends beyond tools for certain tasks.
“To me, the end state is obvious: a companion that feels like a friend, helping us live a better life,” he said.
In August 2024, 1X Technologies presented NEO, a prototype of a bipedal humanoid designed for home use. Safety has been a core principle when developing NEO, according to Øivind Børnich.
“If NEO bumps into you, it’s awkward but not dangerous. Safety is our top priority when designing robots to integrate into society.”
The CEO and founder also emphasized the importance of mimicking natural human movement to help humanoid robots integrate seamlessly into daily life.
“The secret to robotics is for them not to be too stiff. Just like Bruce Lee said about martial arts, robots must flow like water,” he said.
He explained that developing robotic intelligence also requires exposure to various real-world scenarios.
“If you want to understand how to do the laundry, you must have seen enough different washing machines to understand the concept. Diversity of data is key to intelligence,” Børnich said.
He views humanoid robots as an extension of humanity’s energy and innovation.
“We are energy as a society—we convert it into products and services, and humanoid robots are an extension of that transformation.”
While skeptics question the timeline for widespread adoption, Børnich believes advancements will happen faster than expected.
“I can’t say exactly when, but it will probably happen much sooner than most people think,” he said.
As the field progresses, Børnich predicts that humanoid robots will impact society on a scale comparable to that of transformative technologies like the computer, the car, or the printing press.
“The impact of humanoid robots will be on the same scale,” he says.
At the same time, he acknowledged significant challenges to adoption.
“We need to create bottom-up pressure in society for humanoid robotics, or adoption will take many, many years,” he said.
1X, formerly known as Halodi Robotics, specializes in humanoid robotics and has been expanding its global operations. Earlier this year, the company opened a second headquarters in Sunnyvale, California, to further strengthen its presence in Silicon Valley.
Why is it important for 1X to be present in Silicon Valley?
“Our AI team is basically spun out of the original Google brain and robotics team. If you want to have the best people in the world, this is the place.“
