Introducing Neo: The $20K Humanoid Robot That Promises to Revolutionize Your Home
Imagine a robot that can fold your laundry, run your vacuum, tidy your shelves, and even bring in the groceries. It's not a sci-fi fantasy anymore; it's Neo, a humanoid robot that's set to transform your daily life. Standing at 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing around 70 pounds, Neo is designed to be your personal assistant, making your home chores a breeze.
But here's the catch: Neo doesn't come cheap. The price tag is a staggering $20,000, and that's just the beginning. You'll also need to train this new home companion and possibly rely on remote assistance. Despite the high cost, Neo is already generating buzz, with preorders open for just $200 down.
What sets Neo apart from other robots in the market? It's not just about the price. Neo is a consumer-ready humanoid, unlike the factory-focused robots from Tesla and Figure. It's designed to live alongside you, learning from your environment and becoming more independent over time. This is the future of household robots, and Neo is leading the charge.
Here's what Neo can do around the house:
- Fold laundry: Neo's tendon-driven motor system provides gentle, human-like motion, allowing it to handle delicate tasks like folding laundry.
- Run a vacuum: Neo can navigate your floors and keep your home clean.
- Tidy shelves: It can organize your books, dishes, and other items, making your home look neat and tidy.
- Bring in the groceries: Neo can assist with grocery shopping, making it a valuable addition to your household.
- Open doors and climb stairs: It's capable of performing tasks that require physical interaction.
- Act as a home entertainment system: Neo can play music, display videos, and even control your smart home devices.
But Neo's capabilities go beyond its physical tasks. It's equipped with advanced AI technology, including a built-in LLM, similar to ChatGPT and Gemini. You can control Neo by speaking to it, making it feel like having a person in your home.
However, Neo's current usefulness is limited. The robot is still largely teleoperated, meaning a human operator guides it remotely using a virtual-reality headset and controllers. While 1X CEO Bernt Børnich promises that Neo will become more autonomous by 2026, the quality may lag initially.
Privacy and Trust Concerns
One of the key considerations for early adopters is Neo's learning process. The robot uses visual, audio, and contextual intelligence to learn from its environment, which raises privacy and trust questions. Neo can see, hear, and remember interactions with users, which may be a concern for some.
1X CEO Børnich acknowledges this, stating that early adopters must accept the social contract. He emphasizes that the focus is on helping Neo learn to perform tasks safely and effectively, rather than Neo instantly doing your chores.
John Carmack, a computer industry veteran, disagrees. He suggests that companies selling autonomous household robots should instead offer remote-operated help, as the current level of autonomy may not be reliable.
1X is addressing privacy concerns by implementing measures such as Neo listening only when addressed and blurring out humans in camera footage. You can also restrict Neo's access to specific areas of your home, ensuring a level of control and privacy.
The Future of Neo
The first Neo units will be shipped to US customers in 2026, with a monthly subscription option available later. A broader international rollout is planned for 2027. While Neo has a long road ahead to live up to the expectations of Rosie the Robot, it's a tangible step towards a future where robots are an integral part of our daily lives.
