EQT orders 10,000 1X humanoids for portfolio firms
PLUS: DeepMind powers Apollo, ALM’s $100M humanoid fund, and a rare multi-arm spine robot
Welcome back to your Robot Briefing
Private equity giant EQT just locked in a 10,000-unit deal with 1X Technologies, deploying humanoids across its entire portfolio in one of the largest commercial robotics commitments ever recorded. The firm is pulling double duty as both investor and customer, turning its holdings into a proving ground for the Norwegian startup's automation tech.
If these robots deliver measurable results across diverse industries, we could be watching the moment humanoids graduate from experimental demos to must-have business tools. But if they stumble, this massive bet could freeze commercial adoption for years.
In today's Robot update:
EQT places massive 10,000 unit order for 1X humanoids
Snapshot: Private equity firm EQT has committed to deploying 10,000 humanoid robots from 1X Technologies across its portfolio companies, representing one of the largest commercial orders for humanoid automation on record.
Breakdown:
Takeaway: This deal shows humanoid robots moving from proof-of-concept to large-scale commercial deployment, with private equity firms now betting that the technology can deliver measurable value across their holdings. The arrangement creates a testing ground that could accelerate humanoid adoption if 1X's robots prove their worth in varied business environments.
DeepMind's Gemini AI takes control of Apptronik's Apollo
Snapshot: Google DeepMind showcased its Gemini Robotics model controlling Apptronik's Apollo humanoid robot, enabling it to handle everyday tasks like sorting laundry, packing lunches, and manipulating squishy objects it has never encountered before.
Breakdown:
Takeaway: While the robots still move slowly and struggle with fine motor tasks like sealing Ziploc bags, this demo signals meaningful progress toward adaptable robots that understand natural language and reason through multi-step tasks. The fusion of advanced AI with purpose-built humanoid hardware brings us closer to machines that can handle the messy, unpredictable environments humans navigate daily.
ALM Ventures launches $100M fund for humanoids
Snapshot: Silicon Valley's ALM Ventures announced a $100 million early-stage fund targeting humanoid robots, embodied AI, and spatial intelligence at the seed and pre-seed stages. The fund has already deployed capital into ten companies during its formation period.
Breakdown:
Takeaway: Dedicated venture capital for humanoid robotics signals that the industry is moving beyond research prototypes toward commercially viable products. This focused capital approach, combined with technical diligence and concentrated ownership stakes, could accelerate the transition from early demonstrations to scaled deployment across multiple industries.
Las Vegas hospital debuts rare multi-arm spine robot
Snapshot: Southern Hills Hospital has become the world's first operator of the Dynamis Robotic Surgical System, a unique multi-arm platform designed specifically to stabilize and operate on hard tissue and bone. Dr. Kornelis Poelstra is currently the only surgeon globally using this system, performing more robotic spine surgeries than anyone else.
Breakdown:
Takeaway: This represents a significant leap in orthopedic surgery capabilities, bringing robotic precision to bone procedures that were previously impossible to automate safely. Las Vegas is positioning itself as an unexpected destination for cutting-edge surgical care, attracting patients seeking the most advanced spinal treatment options available.
Other Top Robot Stories
GOFAR celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2026 with a global tour featuring 10 events and 5 field days across Europe, Australia, and both US coasts, starting with World FIRA in Toulouse on February 5.
Agroz partners with UBTECH to deploy the Walker S industrial humanoid robot across controlled-environment agriculture facilities in Southeast Asia, targeting tasks from seeding to harvesting with modular robotic solutions tailored for vertical farms and smart greenhouses.
AGIBOT rolled out its 5,000th mass-produced humanoid robot, with the milestone spanning 1,742 full-size A-Series units, 1,846 X-Series intelligent units, and 1,412 task-optimized G-Series units deployed across manufacturing, logistics, security, and commercial services sectors.
🤖 Your robotics thought for today:
What's a fear you have about robots that might actually be pointing you toward something you need to protect or prioritize in your own work?
Tell me – what do you think?
Have a great weekend,
Uli
