#51 - Bernt Bornich, Founder & CEO of 1X
Timestamps are as accurate as they can be but may be slightly off. We encourage you to listen to the full context.
Podcast Summary
In this insightful podcast, Berndt, founder of a humanoid robotics company, shares his decade-long journey developing Neo, a home companion robot designed to be safe, capable, and affordable. (00:47) The conversation explores how his Scandinavian design background influences creating robots that feel relatable and soft rather than the typical "dark sci-fi" aesthetic. (11:15) Berndt discusses the real-world challenges of deploying robots in homes, from Wi-Fi connectivity issues to the complex social dynamics that emerge when humans form emotional bonds with their robotic companions. The episode delves deep into the technical and philosophical aspects of humanoid robotics, touching on manufacturing challenges, the future of work, and the gradual integration of AI companions into daily life.
- Main Theme: Building humanoid robots that integrate seamlessly into home environments while fostering meaningful human-robot relationships through thoughtful design and realistic expectations.
Speakers
Berndt (CEO/Founder)
Berndt is the founder and CEO of a humanoid robotics company developing Neo, a home companion robot. Growing up in Norway with a passion for Scandinavian design principles, he has been working on humanoid robotics since he was 11 years old and started his company in 2014. He has spent over a decade developing robots from first principles, taking a comprehensive approach that spans everything from material science to AI foundation models.
Key Takeaways
Design Philosophy Drives Product Success
Berndt emphasizes that successful robotics requires moving away from the intimidating "dark sci-fi" aesthetic toward something "relatable and soft" that redefines how humans communicate with artificial entities. (00:22) This design philosophy isn't just about appearance—it fundamentally shapes user experience and adoption. The Scandinavian design influence creates robots that feel like natural additions to the home environment rather than foreign intrusions. For professionals, this highlights the importance of user-centered design thinking in any innovative product development, ensuring that advanced technology feels approachable and integrated rather than alienating.
Real-World Testing Reveals Unexpected Challenges
The transition from laboratory to real-world deployment exposed numerous unforeseen complications, with Berndt noting that "the real world is so freaking hard" and comparing getting the first robot at home to "getting another kid." (10:43) Simple issues like Wi-Fi connectivity became major obstacles, with Berndt stating that "Wi-Fi is almost harder than robotics." (13:42) This experience demonstrates the critical importance of extensive real-world testing and the humbling reality that even the most sophisticated technology can be derailed by basic infrastructure issues.
Emotional Bonds Drive User Attachment
Users develop strong emotional connections with their robots, as evidenced by an elderly care center participant who refused a replacement robot, insisting "you can't take my robot. I don't want a new one. I want this one." (05:59) This attachment goes beyond functionality—it represents a fundamental shift in how humans relate to artificial entities. The sitting versus standing interaction difference particularly surprised Berndt, showing how physical positioning completely changes the conversational dynamic. (04:24) Understanding and designing for these emotional connections is crucial for creating technology that truly integrates into human life.
First-Principles Thinking Enables True Innovation
Rather than cobbling together existing components, Berndt's team approached humanoid robotics from first principles, recognizing that "the motors don't exist, the gears don't exist, the sensors don't exist, nothing exists." (22:22) This approach, while requiring significant time and capital investment, created unique advantages in safety, capability, and affordability. (23:50) For professionals in any field, this demonstrates the power of fundamental innovation versus incremental improvement—sometimes you need to rebuild from the ground up to achieve breakthrough results.
Managing Expectations While Maintaining Vision
Berndt emphasizes the delicate balance between ambitious internal goals and realistic customer promises, noting "we think we can do a lot more than what we say we can do" to ensure customers are "worst case, still happy" and "best case, blown away." (29:09) This approach protects customer relationships while maintaining internal motivation for breakthrough achievements. The strategy of under-promising and over-delivering becomes especially critical with knowledgeable early adopters who are "among the most picky users you can have." (28:55)
Statistics & Facts
- The company hired more than 40 people in a single day during a "come build robots with us" event, with hundreds of people lining up to be screened and onboarded. (27:42) This demonstrates the significant public interest and workforce scaling challenges in the robotics industry.
- The factory in Hayward was brought up and running in just four weeks from getting the building to producing the first robot. (27:42) This rapid manufacturing setup showcases the company's operational agility and commitment to fast deployment.
- Berndt mentions that three million people die every year from car accidents, highlighting his broader vision for autonomous systems reducing human casualties and inefficiencies. (15:18)
