Neo Home Robot: $20K AI Humanoid for Your Home

1X Technologies, a Palo Alto-based robotics company, has officially entered the smart home revolution with Neo — the world’s first consumer-ready humanoid robot. Designed to handle household chores, respond to voice commands, and even learn new tasks, Neo aims to redefine what “home assistant” means. But as with any groundbreaking technology, this innovation comes with a trade-off: convenience at the cost of privacy.

🤖 What Is Neo the Home Robot?

Neo is a 5-foot-6 humanoid robot weighing just 66 pounds, built from lightweight 3D Lattice Polymer and powered by advanced NVIDIA AI hardware. With tendon-driven actuators that mimic human muscle movement, Neo moves naturally and quietly around your home. It can run for up to 4 hours on a single charge and carry objects weighing up to 55 pounds — enough to handle tasks like unloading your dishwasher or watering your plants.

The robot uses a mix of AI vision, audio recognition, and voice interaction to perform tasks. It’s equipped with four microphones, three speakers, and fisheye cameras to see, hear, and respond. In demonstrations, Neo was shown taking out the trash, opening doors, and even dancing — though its full autonomy is still evolving.

💡 How Neo Works: Modes and AI Assistance

Neo comes with three main operating modes:

• Chores Mode – Handles routine household tasks like cleaning, folding laundry, or organizing items.
• Companion Mode – Acts as an AI-powered personal assistant capable of recognizing objects, remembering conversations, and even suggesting recipes based on what’s in your fridge.
• Autonomy Mode – Uses Redwood AI, a vision-language model built specifically for humanoid forms, allowing Neo to interpret visual input and perform actions without step-by-step commands.

Users can manage Neo through a mobile app or via voice commands. You can schedule cleaning sessions, ask it to help find misplaced keys, or even start a language lesson — all through natural conversation. Over time, Neo’s intelligence improves as it completes tasks and learns user preferences.

🔧 Expert Mode and Privacy Concerns

When Neo encounters a task it doesn’t understand, it switches to Expert Mode. This mode connects you with a remote 1X Technologies operator who can supervise the robot through a VR interface, guiding it to complete the task. During this session, the operator can see what Neo sees inside your home — a potential privacy concern.

To address transparency, Neo’s “emotive earrings” light up when Expert Mode is active, and users must manually approve the session via voice or app before any connection begins. CEO Bernt Børnich defends this trade-off, saying: “If you buy this product, it’s because you’re OK with that social contract. Without your data, we can’t make the product better.”

🏠 What Can Neo Do?

Neo is far more than a cleaning robot. It’s designed to act as an AI companion — able to interact socially and understand context. Some of its practical capabilities include:

• Watering plants and maintaining your home garden
• Unloading the dishwasher and organizing dishes
• Helping with light laundry tasks
• Teaching languages or trivia using voice interaction
• Recognizing and locating household items
• Charging itself automatically using its self-docking system

However, Neo still struggles with fully autonomous operation. In live demos, journalists observed that it occasionally lost balance or required assistance — reminders that humanoid robotics, while advancing fast, are still a work in progress.

💰 Price and Subscription Model

The Neo robot is available for preorder at $20,000 through 1X Technologies’ official website. Each purchase includes a three-year warranty, premium support, and early delivery priority. For those hesitant to commit, the company offers a $499 monthly subscription plan, which allows users to test Neo before buying.

Preorders require a $200 deposit, and early deliveries are expected to begin in 2026, with international expansion planned for 2027. Customers can choose between three color options — beige, black, and blue.

⚙️ Key Specifications

• Height: 5’6” (1.68m)
• Weight: 66 lbs (30 kg)
• Battery Life: 4 hours
• Material: 3D Lattice Polymer
• Processor: NVIDIA-powered AI system
• Payload Capacity: 55 lbs (25 kg)
• Lift Capacity: 154 lbs (70 kg)
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi + App Control
• Special Features: Self-charging, waterproof hands, emotive LED earrings

🧭 The Competition: Neo vs. Optimus and Figure 03

Neo currently has little competition in the consumer market. While Tesla’s Optimus and Figure AI’s Figure 03 have made headlines, both are still in prototype stages with no confirmed consumer release dates. This gives 1X Technologies a significant first-mover advantage in the humanoid home robotics space.

Figure 03 impressed with industrial-grade capabilities, and Tesla promises an advanced neural-network-driven model by 2026, but for now, Neo remains the only humanoid robot available for preorder by everyday consumers.

🧠 The Bigger Picture: AI and the Future of Home Robotics

Neo represents a major shift in how humans interact with machines. As AI assistants like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity redefine software interaction, humanoid robots like Neo extend that intelligence into the physical world. It’s the beginning of a future where AI not only answers your questions but also takes out your trash.

Yet, questions remain — will consumers accept having cameras and remote AI operators inside their homes? Neo’s adoption will likely depend as much on trust as on technology. Still, for those willing to embrace the next step of human-robot coexistence, Neo offers a glimpse of what tomorrow looks like — today.

✅ Final Thoughts

Neo the humanoid robot is a bold, ambitious leap toward truly intelligent home automation. It’s part housekeeper, part AI assistant, and part social companion. While its $20,000 price tag limits its audience, Neo signals a new era — one where humanoid robots may become as common as smartphones. Whether you see it as a privacy gamble or a technological milestone, one thing is certain: the age of the home robot has arrived.

🧠 (FAQ) About Neo the Home Robot

1. What is Neo the Home Robot?

Neo is a humanoid home robot by 1X Technologies, designed to perform household tasks and provide AI companionship. It can recognize, learn, and adapt to daily activities inside your home.

2. How much does Neo cost?

Neo is priced at $20,000 for ownership or $499/month via subscription. A $200 deposit secures your preorder, with shipping beginning in 2026.

3. What tasks can Neo perform?

Neo handles chores like laundry, cleaning, watering plants, organizing items, and more. It can also act as an AI assistant for scheduling, language learning, and reminders.

4. What is Expert Mode?

In Expert Mode, a trained human operator remotely assists the robot to complete complex tasks. The user must approve this session manually, and Neo’s lights indicate when remote control is active.

5. How long does Neo’s battery last?

Neo operates for about 4 hours per charge and supports self-docking auto charging.

6. Is Neo waterproof?

Neo’s hands are waterproof, but the robot as a whole should not be exposed to heavy moisture or rain.

7. How safe is Neo around kids and pets?

Neo includes multiple sensors to prevent accidents, but users should supervise interactions, especially during heavy lifting or mobility operations.

8. When will Neo be available globally?

Initial shipments are expected in the U.S. by 2026, followed by expansions to Europe and Asia in 2027.

9. Can I customize Neo?

Yes. Through the Neo App, users can update software, adjust personality settings, and teach new routines via AI learning modules.

10. Who makes Neo?

Neo is developed by 1X Technologies, a Palo Alto AI and robotics company specializing in humanoid and industrial robotics.