Bernt Børnich
Norwegian engineer and entrepreneur; founder of 1X Technologies (formerly Halodi Robotics).
Bernt Børnich is a Norwegian engineer and entrepreneur who founded Halodi Robotics, the company subsequently renamed 1X Technologies in 2023. Under his direction, 1X Technologies developed the EVE wheeled humanoid platform (2020), and subsequently the bipedal NEO platform positioned as a home assistance humanoid.
Role in humanoid robotics
Børnich's approach to humanoid platform design has been distinctive in the 2026 humanoid category for its emphasis on the domestic environment and the specific engineering requirements that environment imposes. NEO's low mass (approximately 30 kg), quiet actuation, and soft outer layer reflect an explicit design decision to prioritize characteristics that matter in the home over those that matter in industrial settings. This strategic choice has placed 1X Technologies in a distinctive market position relative to the industrial-oriented humanoid manufacturers.
Under Børnich's leadership, 1X Technologies has secured venture capital investment from prominent Silicon Valley firms and OpenAI, reflecting the strategic interest in the home humanoid category from the artificial intelligence community.
Background
Børnich's academic and technical background is in engineering and robotics, with a focus on actuator design and control systems. He founded Halodi Robotics in Norway before the company's rebrand and expansion into the United States. The company retains operations in Moss, Norway and Palo Alto, California.