SoftBank in talks for OpenAI-backed humanoid robot maker 1X Technologies, report says, raising fresh questions for Tesla’s Optimus race

SoftBank Group is reportedly exploring a deal that would give it a majority stake in 1X Technologies, a humanoid robot company backed by OpenAI-aligned partners, according to a market report carried by Benzinga on Aug. 27, 2026. The report frames the potential transaction as a multibillion-dollar bet, suggesting a valuation that could approach $6 billion.

The same report ties the possible investment to the broader theme of humanoid robots and AI-enabled automation. For Tesla, which has positioned its Optimus humanoid robot as a long-term platform for physical work, any surge in funding for rival robot developers adds competitive pressure and increases the pace of commercialization across the category.

SoftBank has a track record of making large, concentrated investments in technology themes, but the Benzinga post did not lay out transaction structure details. It did not specify whether the talks include a full acquisition or just a majority stake, nor did it provide information on governance terms, expected closing timelines, or whether the valuation figure depends on performance milestones.

The report also did not provide the financial terms beyond the implied valuation range. It did not state the size of the stake SoftBank would seek, whether there are existing investors involved in the round, or how much capital 1X Technologies would raise alongside the purchase. It likewise did not clarify how much of 1X’s technology stack is proprietary versus built on third-party tools.

While the market narrative centers on 1X Technologies, the linkage to Tesla is mostly comparative. Tesla’s Optimus is frequently discussed as a humanoid robot intended to demonstrate general-purpose capabilities for industrial and household environments, and investors often treat Optimus as a potential future growth lever rather than a near-term mass-manufacturing business. The Benzinga report does not claim direct operational overlap between Tesla and 1X, but the economics of potential deals can influence expectations about who can scale robotics faster.

For Tesla shareholders, the bigger implication is the indicating effect: when large investors contemplate billion-dollar valuations in humanoid robotics, it can lift the perceived probability that the category will attract more talent, subsidize development, and accelerate component supply chains. Even without a direct competitive product comparison, it can shift the market’s sense of how quickly humanoid platforms might become commercially relevant.

It is also unclear what the deal would mean for 1X’s roadmap. The report did not describe 1X’s manufacturing status, whether it is building toward deployments or focusing primarily on research prototypes, or how the company measures readiness for real-world tasks. Without those details, it is difficult to assess whether the valuation reflects scaling capability, intellectual property, team quality, or the strength of its AI partnerships.

The next thing to watch is whether any of the reported discussions become a formal announcement, and if so, what disclosures accompany it. Market-moving deal terms are often clarified only after regulatory filings, investor communications, or definitive agreements are reached. Until then, Tesla’s Optimus progress and 1X’s commercial milestones will likely remain the most important proof points for how the humanoid robotics race evolves.