Company 1X has launched pre-orders for NEO, a household robot designed to handle everyday chores like folding laundry and tidying up. While it learns over time, there are tasks that still require remote human control—and that’s where things get interesting.
Welcome to the future… Sort of
Picture this: a humanoid robot wandering through your home, picking up after you, folding your clothes, and loading the dishwasher. Sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, right? Well, 1X’s new domestic robot, NEO (yes, named after that Matrix character), is making this vision a reality—though perhaps not quite as seamlessly as Hollywood would have us believe.
This robot has been engineered to tackle household automation, provide assistance, and even keep you company. At launch, NEO will handle basic tasks like fetching items, folding clothes, organizing spaces, and cleaning. But here’s the catch: when things get complicated, a human operator takes the wheel remotely.
What NEO can actually do and how autonomous it teally is
Once NEO starts shipping next year, it’ll perform a range of basic tasks autonomously—opening and closing doors, locating objects, tidying rooms, folding laundry, and cleaning in real-time. You can activate it with the push of a button or voice commands. There’s even a “Chores” feature that lets owners create task lists and schedule when the robot should complete them.
Sounds impressive, but there’s a reality check coming. While NEO can handle these tasks independently, it’s not exactly lightning-fast or perfectly efficient yet. A Wall Street Journal video revealed that NEO takes several minutes just to fold a single piece of clothing or load and close a dishwasher.
And here’s where things get really interesting: whenever NEO encounters a task it doesn’t know how to do, owners can book a “1X Expert”—a human operator who remotely controls the robot to complete the job while the machine learns by observing. This is the part that raises eyebrows for many people. We’re talking about an actual person controlling a robot that can see, hear, and move throughout your home.
To address these privacy concerns, 1X emphasizes that employees cannot access your NEO without authorization, which you’ll manage through an app. The robot’s facial light rings will change color to indicate when it’s being remotely operated. While this might feel unsettling, the company promises that people appearing on camera will be blurred, and owners can set restricted zones in their homes that operators cannot access.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, 1X CEO Bernt Børnich explained that the AI neural network controlling the robot still needs to learn from real-world experiences. He acknowledged that buyers will have to accept that a human operator will supervise the interior of their homes through the robot’s camera. Why? Because they consider it essential for training the machine to eventually perform tasks autonomously. “If we don’t have your data, we can’t improve the product,” he stated.
Beyond physical tasks: NEO’s conversational side
NEO isn’t just about physical labor. The robot comes equipped with an integrated language model (LLM) that enables natural conversations, whether for personalized assistance or providing information. Its auditory intelligence ensures NEO only listens and responds when directly addressed, while its visual intelligence adds contextual awareness—allowing NEO to use what it sees to enhance interactions, like recognizing ingredients in your fridge and suggesting recipes.
Thanks to NEO’s memory capabilities, the robot maintains conversational continuity, remembering previous context and adapting its responses over time. From scheduling appointments and setting birthday reminders to keeping track of your shopping list, NEO aims to be more than just a helper—it wants to be a companion.
Technical specifications and design
Standing at 1.67 meters tall and weighing just 30 kilograms, NEO can lift up to 70 kilos and carry up to 25 kilos. It operates at a remarkably quiet 22 dB noise level and runs for four hours on a single charge. When the battery runs low, NEO autonomously locates its wall charger, walks to it, and plugs itself in. The robot features integrated Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 5G connectivity, plus a three-stage speaker system located in the pelvis and chest, essentially giving users a mobile home entertainment system.
NEO incorporates 1X’s patented “Tendon Drive” system, powered by high-torque-density motors that enable natural, delicate, and safe movements around people. Its hands exhibit human-like dexterity with 22 degrees of freedom, and it features a soft body made from custom 3D lattice polymer structures wrapped in machine-washable fabric.
Pricing and availability
NEO is currently available for pre-order in the United States with a $200 deposit. Those wanting early access can purchase it from 1X’s website for $20,000, which includes priority delivery in 2026. Alternatively, there’s a monthly subscription plan available for $499.
Available in three colors—beige, gray, and dark brown—the robot will begin shipping in 2026 throughout the United States, with international market expansion expected in 2027.
The question remains: are we ready to share our homes with robots that need human operators to learn? Only time—and those brave enough to pre-order—will tell.