At a time when technology promises to make life easier, here comes 1X Neo, a humanoid home robot that is set to take over tedious tasks like cleaning and laundry. With artificial intelligence and a soft design, it aims to become more than just a machine – a true family member. But is it really ready for the real world? Let's check it out.
Do you ever wish you had an extra pair of hands to clean the house? Most people would say yes, but how many would be happy if those hands belonged to a robot with soft knitwear? 1X Neo, a new humanoid robot from 1X Technologies, promises to free up your time for more important things, like binge-watching TV shows on the couch. Ironically, this “autonomous” assistant still needs human help for more complex tasks—from a distance, of course. It’s like hiring a housekeeper who works via Zoom. But hey, at least she won’t complain about the pay.
What can 1X Neo do?
1X Neo is not just another robot vacuum cleaner – it is a fully-fledged humanoid, standing 168 centimeters tall and weighing only 30 kilograms, that moves around your home with gentle movements thanks to patented tendon drives. It can lift up to 70 kilograms, carry 25 kilograms and run at speeds of up to 22 kilometers per hour, but prefers to walk slowly so as not to scare the cat. Its artificial intelligence, supported by the Redwood AI model, allows it to autonomously perform basic tasks, such as opening doors, picking up objects or turning off lights. For more demanding tasks, such as folding laundry or organizing shelves, you can schedule an “expert mode”, where a remote expert from 1X takes control and teaches the robot new tricks. It’s like having a personal trainer for your robot – except that the trainer sits in an office in Palo Alto.
In addition to tasks, Neo is also a companion. With a built-in large language model, it can answer questions, tell jokes, play games, and even help you learn languages. Its “auditory intelligence” detects when you speak to it, while its “visual intelligence” uses cameras to understand context – for example, checking ingredients in the kitchen and suggesting a recipe. Its memory allows it to remember your habits, so next time it knows where your favorite mug is. And don’t worry about noise: it operates at just 22 decibels, quieter than a modern refrigerator.
Design: softer than your pillow
One of the ironies of modern robotics is that robots often look like metal monsters from movies. Neo is different: he’s wrapped in a soft 3D polymer mesh that makes him safe for interaction with children and pets. His knitted suit is machine washable and comes in three colors: beige, gray, and dark brown. No pinching toes or hard edges—everything is designed for comfort. It’s as if your robot was wearing pajamas all day. And his “emotional ear rings” light up to indicate status, like battery level or attention. Cute, right? But the question remains: would you really want a robot watching you with its cameras all day?
Price and how to get it
If you Not convince you, you'll have to dig deep into your pockets. Buying upfront costs around €17,200 ($20,000), which includes priority delivery in 2026. If you prefer to pay monthly, a subscription is available for around 430 euros ($499) per month, but these robots come later. A deposit of 172 euros ($200) is required to reserve, Deliveries begin in the US in 2026, and elsewhere 2027. The company promises constant software updates to make Neo even smarter – as if your robot were going to school.
Opinions: Mixed feelings from the real world
Early reviews are interesting. The Wall Street Journal tested it out and found that Neo was impressive at simple tasks, but for more complex ones like folding laundry, it still needed human intervention – which was a bit “weird”, as they put it. On Reddit, some commented that the promotional video promised too much, but in reality the robot is not that autonomous. PCMag warns of potential privacy issues due to the cameras that allow for remote control. Engadget praises the learning via teleoperation, but warns that this is not true autonomy. Hacker News is discussing the value of 430 euros per month – many say that it is better to hire a human, but for tech enthusiasts it may be worth a try.
Conclusion: the future or just a fad?
The 1X Neo is undoubtedly a step forward in home robotics, but will it really become part of the family or just an expensive decoration? We can humorously say that it is like a teenager: it has a lot of promise, but still needs parental guidance. If you are ready for an adventure and have the money, order it now. Otherwise, wait for the technology to improve - maybe the next generation will really do everything without help. In any case, the Neo is proof that the future is here, just a little softer than we imagined.