SoftBank Group is in talks on a proposed acquisition of OpenAI-backed humanoid robot maker 1X Technologies at about a $6 billion valuation, The Information reported on Aug. 26, 2026, in discussions earlier accounts described as seeking a majority stake. The deal would extend SoftBank’s physical AI strategy beyond its $5.375 billion agreement for ABB’s robotics unit and its OpenAI exposure, where SoftBank Vision Fund 2’s stake was valued at $79.6 billion as of March 31, 2026. Counterpoint Research said first-half 2026 humanoid shipments already exceeded 22,000, nearly 300% year over year, with Chinese vendors AGIBOT and Unitree alone near three-quarters of volume. 1X, founded in Moss, Norway, in May 2014 as Halodi Robotics and now based in Palo Alto, is targeting homes with its Neo robot rather than factories; Contrary Research estimates $136.5 million in total funding after a $100 million Series B on Jan. 13, 2024, while earlier reports cited more than 10,000 NEO preorders at $20,000 or $499 a month ahead of 2026 U.S. deliveries. OpenAI’s Startup Fund led a $23.5 million Series A2 in 2023 and discussed buying 1X in 2025 without completing a deal. SoftBank shares are nearly 50% below June 2023 highs, with about $30 billion of obligations due in the second half of 2026 as executives warn embodied AI still trails large language models by years.