SoftBank eyes $6B 1X deal as humanoid robot race accelerates

SoftBank Group has entered into negotiations with humanoid robot manufacturer 1X Technologies regarding a proposed acquisition of the latter that may be conducted at an approximately $6 billion valuation, according to the report from The Information issued on August 26, 2026, quoting its sources. If the agreement is confirmed, it would indicate that the Japanese firm is likely to reinforce its operations in the field of physical AI, where investments are shifting increasingly from software to products that can perform actions in the real world.

Timing plays a vital role. As investments begin to flow heavily into robots capable of walking, manipulating objects, and adapting to their environment, the past year has seen the emergence of SoftBank as a major player within this major revolution. Furthermore, acquiring a robotics company supported by OpenAI would add a new dimension to the relationship between two major players in the field of embodied intelligence.

Why the talks land at a hot moment for humanoids

The talks are taking place at a time when there is a sharp increase in humanoid deliveries. As reported on August 20, 2026, by Counterpoint Research, total shipments of humanoids this year already reached more than 22,000, which is an almost 300 percent year-to-year increase, and it is possible that the total number of humanoids shipped this year surpasses 50,000.

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