A new generation of domestic helpers is about to enter the modern home—not just to assist with chores, but to serve as interactive companions. According to a Wall Street Journal report published on October 28 (local time), Norway-based California AI robotics firm 1X Technologies has begun accepting preorders for “NEO,” its subscription-based humanoid robot designed for household use.

Bernt Børnich, the CEO and founder of 1X, commented, "Humanoids have long been the stuff of science fiction. NEO bridges the gap between our imagination and reality, allowing us to actually receive assistance from human-like robots in our daily lives."

Standing at 175 centimeters, NEO can be reserved with a $200 deposit on the 1X Technologies website and comes in three color options: light brown, gray, and dark brown. Buyers may opt for a monthly subscription fee of $499 or a one-time payment of $20,000.

Equipped with two arms and legs in a human-like configuration, NEO can wash dishes, handle laundry, open doors, fetch objects, and turn off lights at night, thanks to its water-resistant hands. Users can monitor its status, schedule tasks via a dedicated app, and receive continuous upgrades through software updates.

The company has integrated “Audio and Visual Intelligence” technology, enabling NEO to interpret both voice and video information simultaneously. This allows the robot to respond instantly to voice commands and engage in increasingly natural conversation as it learns from repetition.

Furthermore, NEO can pick up unfamiliar tasks in real time with help from a remote session with 1X experts. To accommodate the complex muscular tasks of domestic work, the development team designed a motor-tendon structure similar to human tendons, enabling NEO’s joints to move with nuanced and gentle precision. The robot’s lightweight build also prioritizes safety, reducing the risk of tipping over.

Currently, NEO's operation combines remote control and autonomous functions, marking an active learning phase. In demonstrations, it took five minutes for NEO to place a fork and two plastic cups into a dishwasher and close the door, and two minutes to fold a reporter’s sweater—underscoring the need for further improvements in speed and accuracy.

Given that accidents cannot be entirely eliminated at this stage, households with young children are currently excluded from the first phase of customer recruitment.

1X Technologies asserts that “robots should be safe, high-performing, and affordable.” The company now mass-produces NEO Gamma, its commercial model, at its Norwegian factory, with ambitious plans to produce tens of thousands of units by next year and millions by 2028.

Fundraising rounds have bolstered the company’s trajectory, with $23.5 million secured in 2023 from investors led by OpenAI and U.S. venture firm Tiger Global, and another $100 million the following year led by EQT Ventures. While the company's valuation remains undisclosed, industry interest continues to grow.

On his long-term vision, CEO Børnich reflected, “With a declining youth population, how can we care for an aging society? Ultimately, we aim to help those with special needs for robotic assistance, such as seniors or people with disabilities.”

In his WSJ interview, Børnich expressed confidence: “By next year, NEO will be able to handle most household chores autonomously.” With ongoing research collaboration with Nvidia, accelerated advancements in AI are also anticipated.

As subscription-based home humanoids like NEO evolve from mere tools to lifestyle companions, the first commercial launch in 2026 is widely seen as a major inflection point for the AI robotics industry.

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=1X Technologies