1X launches NEO, a robot that performs household tasks remotely
The humanoid is designed to assist in household tasks and act as a personal assistant capable of learning over time through artificial intelligence, with the possibility of being operated remotely when necessary.
1X NEO Robot
Artificial intelligence and robotics company 1X, based in California, is now accepting reservations for the purchase of its humanoid robot NEO, designed to offer personalized assistance.
The humanoid is designed to assist with household tasks and act as a personal assistant capable of learning over time through artificial intelligence, with the ability to be operated remotely when necessary.
"Humanoids were long a thing of sci-fi ... then they were a thing of research, but today — with the launch of NEO — humanoid robots become a product. Something that you and I can reach out and touch. ... We can actually ask a humanoid robot for help, and help is granted," said Bernt Bornich, CEO and founder of 1X.
The robot represents a significant advance in consumer-oriented humanoids: it is attractive for its design and value proposition for the home, but, according to 1X, today it is worth considering it as a semi-autonomous assistant that may need supervision and specialized support for new or complex tasks.
Basic specifications
- Size and weight: it stands approximately 5-foot-6 and weighs about 66 pounds.
- Material and design: the body is covered by a textile polymer or soft 3D mesh, available in various colors; design intended for safety and less rejection due to too human appearance.
- Hands and mobility: hands with many degrees of freedom and tendon actuators; can move around the home and even climb stairs according to company demonstrations and descriptions.
Some of its capabilities
- Performs basic household tasks such as sorting, folding laundry, cleaning and carrying objects; integrates a language model to understand voice instructions and offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 5G connectivity.
- 1X promotes that NEO can "learn" tasks through guided sessions by in-house experts and data acquisition in real use.
Pricing and availability
- 1X opened presales in the United States and the advertised retail price is about $20,000, with a monthly subscription option near $499 and reduced reserve deposit for preorder. According to the company, shipments are planned for next year.
Limitations
- NEO is not fully autonomous in practice and, in many cases, requires remote human operation to complete complex tasks. Its movements have been described as slow or clumsy in some tests.
- Commitments by the company on capability and timelines may depend on development and deployment phases, so observed behavior in demos may differ from end-user experience.
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