1X Technologies Unveils NEO Humanoid Robot for Home Use, Priced at $20,000

1X Technologies has officially launched NEO, its first consumer-ready humanoid robot designed for household assistance, with pre-orders now open and deliveries slated to begin in 2026. The robot, which aims to automate daily chores and provide personalized help, carries an upfront cost of $20,000 or a monthly subscription option of $499, requiring a $200 refundable deposit for pre-orders. According to a social media post by Tom Osman, NEO is positioned to address labor shortages and give individuals more personal time.

NEO stands 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighs 66 pounds, and boasts a lifting capacity of 154 pounds while able to carry 55 pounds. Its design includes a soft 3D lattice polymer body for safety around children and pets, a 4-hour battery life, and operates at a whisper-quiet 22 dB. The robot features 22 degrees of freedom in each hand, allowing for human-level dexterity to perform tasks such as folding laundry, organizing shelves, and tidying up.

Initially, many of NEO's tasks will require human teleoperators, referred to as "1X Experts," who guide the robot through its cameras to help it learn. This "human brain in the cloud" approach is central to 1X's strategy for NEO to become truly autonomous over time through embodied AI learning. Bernt Børnich, CEO and Founder of 1X, emphasized that with NEO's launch, humanoid robots transition from science fiction and research into a tangible product.

The company has secured significant backing, including $100 million in Series B funding led by EQT Ventures in January 2024, and a Series A2 round led by OpenAI Startup Fund in March 2023, totaling over $125 million in less than a year. This funding is intended to scale production and advance NEO's development for the consumer market. While competitors like Tesla's Optimus and Figure also plan to commercialize humanoid robots for home use by late 2026, 1X is among the first to open pre-orders.

Industry analysts, including Tom Osman, express confidence that humanoid robots like NEO will rapidly improve, potentially becoming a default presence in many homes. However, the reliance on teleoperation for initial tasks has drawn scrutiny, with some reports noting limited autonomous performance in early demonstrations. 1X plans to begin deliveries primarily in the U.S. in 2026, with expansion to other markets starting in 2027.