1X, a robotics company based in Palo Alto, has announced NEO, a humanoid robot designed for household tasks such as cleaning and personal assistance. The launch occurs as the humanoid robotics sector experiences significant growth, with analysts projecting the market to approach $400 billion within the next decade, fueled by advancements in embodied AI and global labor shortages.
NEO is engineered with a tendon-driven actuation system and soft materials for safe operation around people. Weighing 66 pounds, the robot can lift 154 pounds and operates at 22 decibels. It features 22 degrees of freedom in its hands for dexterous manipulation and is constructed from 3D-lattice polymer structures. The unit includes built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 5G connectivity.
An onboard large language model enables NEO to process voice commands, hold conversations, and perform tasks like folding laundry and organizing shelves. For unfamiliar chores, owners can schedule a session with a 1X Expert to guide the robot through the task, allowing it to learn. The robot is available through a $499 monthly subscription or a one-time purchase of $20,000, both requiring a $200 deposit.
The announcement comes amid intensified competition in the humanoid robotics space. On the same day, Las Vegas-based Richtech Robotics unveiled Dex, a wheeled humanoid built on NVIDIA’s Jetson Thor platform for manufacturing and logistics work. Other notable entrants include Unitree Robotics, which is marketing a lower-cost humanoid model, and Wandercraft, a Parisian firm shifting its focus from exoskeletons to autonomous humanoids.
Research institutions are also advancing the field. Collaborators at China’s National University of Defense Technology and Midea Group are using a system called HumanoidExo, a wearable suit that captures human motion to generate robot training data. As these robots become more lifelike, industry observers note the challenge of the “uncanny valley,” where high degrees of realism can paradoxically erode user trust and comfort.
1X envisions NEO evolving into a fully autonomous household helper. “The NEO you get today will only get better. And as we keep shipping features, it’ll be more and more useful in your everyday life,” said 1X CEO Bernt Børnich. The company did not respond to a request for further comment.
Source: https://decrypt.co/346509/humanoid-race-heats-up-1x-unveils-talking-home-robot-helper
