Sick of spending weekends on chores? 1X Technologies just launched pre-orders for Neo, the first humanoid robot built specifically for homes. This 5.5-foot AI assistant folds laundry, unloads dishwashers, and learns your routine.
Starting in 2026, U.S. customers can get Neo delivered. It’s not a prototype. It’s a fully functional AI housekeeper robot designed to save you 20+ hours a week. For tech professionals juggling remote work, side projects, and family, that’s a game-changer.
What Makes the 1X Neo Robot Different
Neo isn’t a repurposed factory bot. It’s engineered for living rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms. Lightweight at 66 pounds, it moves quietly and safely around kids and pets.
Core specs that matter:
- Height: 5.5 feet, fits under standard counters
- Lift capacity: Up to 154 pounds peak, 55 pounds routine
- Battery: 4 hours of continuous work, auto-charges
- Hands: 22 degrees of freedom for precise tasks like folding shirts
- Vision & audio: Dual 8MP cameras, four mics, three speakers
- Noise level: 22 decibels, quieter than a whisper
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 5G
Powered by NVIDIA Jetson Thor and 1X’s Tendon Drive system, Neo moves with human-like fluidity. No stiff, robotic jerks.
How Neo Actually Helps at Home
Say “Neo, clean the kitchen.” It identifies dirty dishes, loads the dishwasher, wipes counters, and organizes cabinets. All hands-free.
Daily tasks it handles:
- Folding and sorting laundry
- Taking out trash and recycling
- Fetching items from high shelves
- Light tidying and organizing
- Responding to voice commands in real time
Use the 1X app to schedule weekly routines or request help instantly. Neo maps your home, avoids obstacles, and improves with every use.
For complex tasks, Expert Mode lets a 1X specialist remotely guide Neo through VR, with your full approval. The robot learns from the session and applies it forever.
The Bigger Picture:
Neo isn’t alone, but it’s leading the consumer charge. Tesla’s Optimus targets factories first. Figure AI and Unitree focus on demos. 1X built Neo for your couch.
Why this matters now:
- Time scarcity: The average person spends 11 hours a week on chores
- Aging in place: Seniors gain independence without live-in help
- Productivity shift: Free up mental bandwidth for coding, creating, or resting
- Market growth: Analysts predict $38 billion in humanoid sales by 2035
Every Neo in a home feeds data back (with opt-in consent) to improve the entire fleet. Your robot gets smarter every week.
Real-World Performance and Limitations
Early testers praise Neo’s laundry folding and dish handling. It’s not fully autonomous in chaotic homes yet, think cluttered teen bedrooms, but over-the-air updates roll out weekly.
What works today:
- Repetitive, structured tasks
- Voice interaction and navigation
- Learning user preferences
What’s improving:
- Handling unexpected clutter
- Multi-step creative tasks (e.g., meal prep)
- Full independence without occasional guidance
1X CEO Bernt Børnich says: “We’re not replacing humans. We’re giving time back.”
Privacy and Security: The Questions Everyone Asks
Neo has cameras and mics. Data is encrypted end-to-end. You control:
- No-go zones (bedrooms, offices)
- Face blurring for guests
- Session recording (on/off)
- Data deletion on demand
No cloud storage without explicit consent. Regular security audits and 5G encryption keep it locked down.
How Neo Fits Into the Smart Home Future
Imagine Neo working with your existing devices:
- Syncs with smart lights and thermostats
- Integrates with Alexa or Google Home
- Streams music or joins video calls
- Alerts you if something’s off (leaky faucet, open window)
It’s not just a robot. It’s the central brain of Home Robotics 2.0.
Key Takeaway:
Your Time Is the Ultimate Upgrade
The 1X Neo robot isn’t just a gadget. It’s a lifestyle shift. For the price of a used car, you buy back hundreds of hours a year.