Norwegian company 1X opened the first vertically integrated humanoid robot factory in the US in California, while China in Guangdong produces 10,000 units per year.

Written by Douglas Avila

Published on 13/05/2026 at 11:32

Updated on 13/05/2026 at 11:33

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Factory in Hayward CA has 58 thousand square meters and a goal of 10 thousand NEO units per year

The Norwegian company 1X opened on April 30, 2026, the first vertically integrated humanoid robot factory in the USA. The industrial complex is located at 1X NEO Hayward in California.

Meanwhile, a Chinese line in Guangdong started producing 10 thousand humanoid units per year. The parallel between the two poles defines the industrial race between the USA and China.

The factory in Hayward has 58 thousand square meters. According to the official statement from 1X, the goal is to match Chinese production in 2 years.

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What the 1X NEO Hayward factory means for the USA

The 1X NEO Hayward is the first fully verticalized humanoid factory on American soil. Verticalization means that all components come from the same warehouses.

According to an analysis by the Humanoid Guide, the goal of 10 thousand units per year puts 1X on par with China.

Therefore, the investment takes advantage of the USA’s privileged position. It has NVIDIA’s chip (Jetson Thor), OpenAI software, and abundant venture capital.

In parallel, the Norwegian company 1X has already received over 100 million dollars in Series A2 and B rounds. The next round will target 1 billion dollars, according to The Information.

According to an analysis by Morgan Stanley, the global humanoid market will reach 5 trillion dollars by 2050. Today, it is less than 5 billion.

In fact, the financial market expects that every American household will have at least 1 humanoid by 2040. That’s 150 million units just in the USA.

1X NEO Hayward humanoid robot performing domestic tasks in an American kitchen — NEO in a domestic environment, reference 1X Technologies

The Chinese line in Guangdong surpasses the USA in volume

While 1X NEO Hayward brings the project to life, China is already in industrial rhythm. On March 29, 2026, a plant in Guangdong began operating.

According to the technical record of 1X, the Chinese plant has a capacity of 10 thousand humanoid units per year. This is the largest humanoid production line in the world.

Thus, China has taken the lead in quantity. But the USA maintains an advantage in vertical integration and high-performance chips.

Therefore, the humanoid race has become geopolitical. Both Washington and Beijing consider the sector strategic for the next decade.

In parallel, other companies are advancing. Tesla announced a plan for Optimus at scale. Boston Dynamics has Atlas in a pilot at BMW.

As reported by Accenture Newsroom, Vodafone Procure & Connect and SAP have pilots in warehouses. The logistics sector is the first to adopt humanoids on a large scale.

Chinese production line in Guangdong manufactures 10 thousand humanoid robots per year competing with 1X NEO Hayward — Chinese humanoid line in Guangdong, industrial production reference

Toyota Canada already uses 7 Agility humanoids in RAV4 logistics

The industrial humanoid market is not theoretical. In February 2026, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (Woodstock) began using Agility Digit humanoids.

According to the Automate Show, there are 7 Digit units in continuous operation. The focus is on logistics for the RAV4 SUV parts.

In fact, the business model used is RaaS — Robots as a Service. Toyota pays a monthly fee per active unit, without purchasing the robots.

Therefore, the entry barrier drops dramatically. Medium-sized companies can adopt humanoids without capex investment.

In parallel, BMW started a pilot with Boston Dynamics Atlas at the Spartanburg factory. The model scaled up and now runs in continuous production.

According to an analysis by Humanoid Robotics Technology, most global automotive companies are already testing at least 1 humanoid. The industrial path is clear.

Agility Digit humanoid robot working in Toyota RAV4 logistics in parallel with 1X NEO Hayward — Digit from Agility Robotics in operation at Toyota Canada, industrial reference

Technical data of NEO and the Hayward factory

The 1X NEO Hayward uses NVIDIA’s Jetson Thor chip. This processor is dedicated to physical AI and edge computing.

The NEO is about 1.68 meters tall and weighs 60 kg. It carries stereo cameras, microphones, and tactile sensors in articulated hands.

According to the official 1X website, the autonomy is 2 to 3 hours with fast recharging. The battery is the most critical point of the design.

In parallel, the company argues that the NEO “learns” tasks by imitation. It does not require classical programming for each new domestic function.

1X NEO Hayward Inauguration: April 30, 2026
Factory area: 58 thousand square meters
Production goal/year: 10 thousand NEO units
Early access price: 20 thousand dollars
China parallel: Guangdong also 10 thousand/year (March 29, 2026)
Global market 2050: 5 trillion dollars (Morgan Stanley)
Toyota Canada: 7 Agility Digit units in RAV4 logistics

Implications for the job market and the oil sector

The rise of 1X NEO Hayward has profound sectoral implications. Sectors like oil, mining, and heavy logistics are already studying humanoid use.

According to an analysis by the World Economic Forum, offshore platforms can use humanoids for inspection and maintenance. It reduces human exposure to dangerous environments.

Therefore, operators like Petrobras, Equinor, and Shell maintain pilots in the early stages. The question is when the ROI becomes advantageous versus trained people.

In parallel, the impact on the job market is concerning. According to CleanTechnica, there is criticism that the sector is overestimated.

For more on related industrial trends, it’s worth reading the coverage by Click Petróleo e Gás on advanced military technologies.

For the Brazilian case, it’s worth consulting the analysis of emerging industrial technologies by Click Petróleo e Gás.

It is worth noting that the 2-3 hour battery is still a limiting factor. 24/7 operations require multiple units in rotation or quick battery swaps.

Despite this, the pace of evolution is rapid. By 2030, domestic humanoids may be as common as smart speakers in American homes.

Norwegian company 1X opened the first vertically integrated humanoid robot factory in the US in California, while China in Guangdong produces 10,000 units per year.

Factory in Hayward CA has 58 thousand square meters and a goal of 10 thousand NEO units per year

What the 1X NEO Hayward factory means for the USA

The Chinese line in Guangdong surpasses the USA in volume

Toyota Canada already uses 7 Agility humanoids in RAV4 logistics

Technical data of NEO and the Hayward factory

Implications for the job market and the oil sector

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Norwegian company 1X opened the first vertically integrated humanoid robot factory in the US in California, while China in Guangdong produces 10,000 units per year.

Factory in Hayward CA has 58 thousand square meters and a goal of 10 thousand NEO units per year

What the 1X NEO Hayward factory means for the USA

The Chinese line in Guangdong surpasses the USA in volume

Toyota Canada already uses 7 Agility humanoids in RAV4 logistics

Technical data of NEO and the Hayward factory

Implications for the job market and the oil sector

Seven world powers including the US, China, and Russia are spending €22 billion on a reactor in the south of France that aims to confine plasma at 150 million degrees Celsius, ten times the temperature of the Sun’s core, using a magnetic field capable of lifting an entire aircraft carrier.

Elon Musk’s internet comes to mobile: Starlink technology connects smartphones without an antenna via satellite, works even without carrier signal, already costs just US$10 extra in the US, and could arrive in Brazil as an included benefit.

A Chinese factory in Guangdong is assembling a humanoid robot every 30 minutes while Tesla, Figure, and Boston Dynamics still struggle to deliver 10 thousand per year.

While Brazil has been discussing bullet trains for 16 years, China delivers 5 new high-speed lines in 2026, surpasses 50,000 km of HSR, and moves 1 billion passengers in a single year.

With a wingspan of 152 meters, 76 tires, and a capacity to carry 1,270 tons, the Boeing Pelican was the giant “flying ship” that promised to cross oceans close to the water on an invisible air cushion beneath its wings.

In Niger, mud buildings have stood for ten generations while the world spends billions on concrete and steel, now African architects are proving at the Venice Biennale and in real projects that red earth can be the smartest and most sustainable building material of the 21st century.

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