1X Technologies Unveils NEO: A Game-Changer in Consumer Robotics

On October 28, 2025, 1X Technologies, a Norwegian-American robotics company, announced the launch of NEO, a humanoid robot designed to assist with household tasks, marking a significant advancement in consumer robotics.

NEO stands approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 66 pounds. It features a soft, fabric-like exterior to ensure safety during human interactions. The robot is capable of performing activities such as folding laundry, vacuuming, and watering plants. Users can control NEO via voice commands or a dedicated mobile application. Pre-orders are available at a purchase price of $20,000 or through a subscription model at $499 per month, with deliveries expected to begin in 2026, initially targeting the U.S. market. (1x.tech)

Founded in 2014 by Norwegian roboticist Bernt Øivind Børnich, 1X Technologies, formerly known as Halodi Robotics, initially focused on developing safe actuators and full-body control systems for industrial and healthcare robotics. In 2022, the company rebranded and shifted its focus to domestic robotics, aiming to create humanoid assistants for private homes. (en.wikipedia.org)

NEO is built with 1X’s patented Tendon Drive, utilizing high-torque density motors for gentle movements, enhancing safety around people. The robot features 22 degrees of freedom in its hands, providing human-level dexterity. Its soft body is made of custom 3D lattice polymer structures, and it operates at a noise level of 22 decibels, quieter than a modern refrigerator. NEO is capable of lifting over 150 pounds and carrying 55 pounds. It is equipped with built-in communication systems, including WiFi, Bluetooth, and 5G, and features a three-stage speaker system in the pelvis and chest area, serving as a mobile home entertainment system. (1x.tech)

The humanoid robotics industry has seen significant advancements, with companies like Tesla and Figure AI developing their own models. Tesla's Optimus Gen 3 is expected to be sold for about $20,000 when production scales up. Figure AI has been testing its robots in industrial settings and plans to introduce them into homes by 2025. (en.wikipedia.org)

The introduction of consumer-ready humanoid robots like NEO raises several societal considerations. The automation of household tasks could reduce the demand for domestic workers, potentially affecting employment in this sector. With robots operating within private homes, there are concerns about data collection and surveillance. 1X Technologies has stated that customers can decide when a 1X employee can view NEO’s surroundings, addressing some privacy issues. The integration of humanoid robots into daily life may influence social behaviors and relationships, as people adapt to interacting with non-human entities in personal spaces. (1x.tech)

The launch of NEO by 1X Technologies marks a significant milestone in the field of humanoid robotics, bringing advanced automation into the consumer market and prompting discussions on its broader societal impacts.