ChatGPT parent OpenAI invests in humanoid robotics
The OpenAI Startup Fund, along with other well-known investors, has invested in Norwegian startup 1XRaise with US$23.5 million. This is the second round of funding for the company formerly known as Halodi Robotics. It was founded in 2014 and employs about 60 people. In addition to OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT, as the largest financier, Tiger Global, a very well-known international investor, participated. A consortium of Norwegian-based investors, e.g. Sandwater, Alliance Ventures, and Skagerak Capital, also participated. Nvidia was already involved.
"1X is a pioneer in expanding the workforce through the use of safe, advanced technologies in robotics," said Brad Lightcap, COO of OpenAI and manager of the OpenAI Startup Fund. "The OpenAI Startup Fund believes in the approach and the impact 1X can have on the future of work."
The company intends to use the funds to advance construction of its upcoming NEO bipedal android and to establish distribution of its first commercially available android, EVE, in Norway and North America, according to reports. Mainland Europe is apparently not considered a market for now. It seems conceivable to do without the complicated "leg work" for the time being and offer the model on wheels (see video) - disadvantage: required radius:
Global labor market to be enriched
"1X is excited to have OpenAI lead this round of funding as we are aligned in our goals: to meaningfully integrate emerging technologies into people's daily lives. With the support of our investors, we will continue to make significant advances in robotics and enrich the global job market," says Bernt Øyvind Børnich, CEO and founder of 1X Technologies. Børnich emphasizes the need for the use of androids in the real world.
"Deploying our android EVE on an unprecedented commercial scale gives us a unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities the robotics community still faces. If androids are to function in our world, they must experience our world."
The post image above is from 1x raises and differs significantly from the design in this video (Halodi Robotics was 1xRaise's previous name).
Participation thoughts
The participation once again raises the question of when to expect humanoid robots. As we all know, the introduction of ChatGPT surprised the AI industry a lot. Perhaps there will be such a surprise with human-like robots as well. This would probably require a market launch between 2025 and 2030. In any case, the investment - especially from Tiger Global - should mean that humanoid robots should be commercially feasible. Tiger Global has repeatedly been rumored to have ambitions to acquire a stake in a cobot manufacturer. Now the decision was made in favor of the bipeds.
An approaching cut-throat competition is perhaps already becoming visible. Last week, Agility Robotics had presented its new version of the "Digit" model. It is to be launched on the market in January 2024. While it resembles a human, it is "dumb." Can it compete with an intelligent colleague in a few years? The additional intelligence will cost little if it can be scaled. Another question will be whether the Digit (video) will not make life difficult for hybrid robots, i.e., unit consisting of mobile robots and robotic arm. A hybrid robot quickly costs upwards of 70,000 euros. The "Digit" is likely to be cheaper and more adaptable to the environment.
I find it interesting that the Norwegian sovereign wealth fund, after all one of the world's largest, is not involved. This is somewhat reminiscent of Germany, where little gets done without foreign investors.
The new OpenAI shareholder Microsoft should now have engaged in large-scale robotics for the first time. The Neo should be able to fall back on ChatGPT.
Are we networking? LinkedIn
-> Go to the Cobot group on LinkedIn (link). The author is also a consultant (robotics, tech & finance). Hardly anyone is likely to have a comparable market overview.
