Humanoid robot Neo to help in households from 2026 – for 20,000 US dollars
1X is entering the race with its humanoid robot Neo as a household helper. It is scheduled to work in US households starting in 2026.
(Image: 1X)
The Norwegian-US robotics company 1X wants its humanoid robot Neo to perform tasks in private households as early as 2026. 1X announced this on Tuesday. Initially, however, support via teleoperation will be necessary. Sales of the robot, which costs around 20,000 US dollars, will initially begin in the USA.
Neo is approximately 1.65 m tall and weighs only 29.94 kg. Nevertheless, it is capable of lifting weights up to 69.85 kg and carrying up to 24.95 kg. Its hands have five fingers, and each hand has 22 degrees of freedom. The actuators, called Tendo Drives, contain electric motors of their development with high torque density that drive tendon-based transmissions. The movements are said to be particularly “gentle,” promises 1X. The noise of the humanoid robot is also said to be kept within limits: 1X specifies an operating noise of 22 dB (not dB(A)). The robot is therefore not supposed to be too loud when working in the household.
Neo's overall lightweight, lattice-like body is covered by a soft knitted suit and soft shoes. This makes it suitable for living with people who are less likely to get injured if they accidentally collide with it. It is deliberately designed to be hardly noticeable in the household and to integrate inconspicuously, writes 1X. Accordingly, its colors are rather subdued: it is to be available in light and dark brown as well as gray.
Visual intelligence and contextual awareness
The humanoid household robot has an integrated Large Language Model (LLM) to be able to converse with its owners. It only reacts when addressed. For example, it is supposed to be able to recall information, remind of appointments, and keep shopping lists. In addition, it is supposed to have “visual intelligence,” which, together with contextual awareness, ensures that the robot can remember things it sees and hears and recall them later. This makes it possible for it to integrate information into later conversations in context. Neo thus virtually learns to adapt to the human residents.
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Neo is supposed to be able to perform household tasks on command or via lists. Initially, however, Neo still needs support via teleoperation from 1X employees. 1X cites tidying rooms, vacuuming, washing clothes, and folding laundry as examples. Tasks that Neo does not yet know at all are also to be trainable by 1X employees. Bernt Børnich, CEO of 1X, says in an interview with the Wall Street Journal says that the robot should then be able to perform most tasks autonomously. However, this is not yet the case.
In its delivered state, Neo is already supposed to be able to perform a few tasks independently based on AI, says Børnich. This includes opening doors, for example. 1X promises to provide regular software updates that expand the robot's capabilities.
To help Neo navigate households better, its developers have trained its world model with data from the real world. This is intended to make it easier for it to adapt to different household environments.
Purchase and rental option
1X already offers a pre-order option for the robot for a refundable fee of 200 dollars. Delivery of Neo is scheduled for 2026. Originally, it was supposed to come onto the market in early 2027 at the earliest. Initially, however, only the US market will be served. From 2027, other markets are to follow. 1X offers the robot at a price of 20,000 US dollars. Alternatively, it can be rented for 499 dollars per month.
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1X's promise is ambitious. It is unclear whether the robot will be able to implement everything in unstructured households that 1X promises. Humanoid robots currently still have problems even when used in structured work environments such as factories. In this respect, early adopters are advised to rent the robot rather than buy it.
(olb)
