AI-powered home robot NEO can do chores, but needs your data to work better

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New Delhi: Humanoid robots are moving out of research labs and into everyday life, and one of the first to make that leap is NEO, a home robot developed by California-based AI and robotics startup 1X. The company has opened pre-orders, positioning NEO as an all-purpose household assistant capable of doing basic chores like opening doors, fetching objects and turning lights on and off. It marks a shift in the robotics industry, where humanoid machines are no longer being designed only for factories and warehouses, but for personal spaces.

NEO will begin shipping next year, but it will not operate entirely on its own from day one. Instead, many of its more advanced functions will rely on human teleoperators who remotely control the robot in real time. This means users who buy the robot early must agree to allow a human operator, hired by the company, to view inside their homes through the robot’s camera for task guidance.

How NEO works in the real world

NEO is designed to respond to voice commands and app-based prompts, enabling users to assign household tasks on demand. According to the company, the robot will gradually learn through AI models that improve over time. However, until the system gathers enough real-world training data, human operators will step in.

1X CEO Bernt Børnich explained in an interview with The Wall Street Journal that access to user environments is necessary to improve AI performance. “If we don’t have your data, we can’t make the product better,” he said, acknowledging that human involvement is significant in the initial rollout.

Customers will be able to schedule when a teleoperator can control the robot, and the company says owners can restrict access by setting no-go zones. Basic privacy protections such as blurring individuals are available, although some consumers may remain sceptical about allowing a camera-equipped robot to move freely in their home.

NEO’s capabilities and design

The robot weighs around 66 pounds and can lift more than twice its weight, making it capable of light-duty physical work. It uses a tendon-based actuation system to move in a human-like manner while staying quiet enough for household use. Connectivity features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 5G are built into the body.

Key abilities at launch include:

  • Opening and closing doors
  • Fetching objects on command
  • Managing light switches
  • Tidying specific areas through remote guidance

More complex skills, such as folding laundry or organising shelves, will initially rely on human teleoperators until NEO becomes self-sufficient.

Pricing and availability

NEO is available in tan, grey, and dark brown finishes. It requires a deposit of USD 200 (about ₹17,400) to reserve a unit. Customers can either purchase it outright for USD 20,000 (about ₹17.4 lakh) or subscribe to a monthly plan costing USD 499 (about ₹43,400). The robot is expected to start shipping next year.

The humanoid robot race

1X is among several companies developing humanlike robots built for everyday environments. Competitors such as Tesla, Figure AI and Agility Robotics are focusing on industry and logistics, while others in China and Europe are experimenting with wearable robotics and exosuits that train humanoid models using human motion.

Analysts estimate that the global humanoid robotics sector may reach USD 400 billion within a decade, with demand driven by rising labour shortages and ageing populations.