Last week, Norwegian-American robotics company 1X Technologies, founded in 2014 by Norwegian roboticist Bernt Børnich, launched NEO. This humanoid robot stands about 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 66 pounds, designed to assist with household chores while learning from the people living with it.
Preorders for NEO opened at $20,000, with deliveries scheduled to begin in the US in 2026. For those not ready to buy outright, the company offers a subscription for $499 per month.
TFN reached out to 1X Technologies for a comment.
Why is everyone chatting about NEO?
NEO’s standout feature is its smooth and quiet movement, enabled by tendon-driven actuators inspired by the human musculoskeletal system. It offers 75 degrees of freedom across its body and 22 in each hand, allowing it to perform everyday tasks like opening doors, fetching items, switching off lights, and taking out the trash.
With the strength to lift 154 pounds and carry 55 pounds, NEO is a serious helper in home environments. A collection of stereo fisheye cameras and beamforming microphones provides it with sharp environmental awareness.
At its core, NEO runs on 1X’s NEO Cortex, powered by NVIDIA hardware, that supports AI models capable of understanding context and improving through experience. Despite its advancement, full autonomy is still on the horizon. While it can independently open doors and put away dishes, more complex tasks require a distinctive “human-in-the-loop” approach.
The robot’s battery lasts approximately 4 hours and recharges quickly. It can walk, climb stairs, sit, kneel, and recover from falls. While the body resists splashes, only its hands are fully waterproof.
The end goal? Becoming the most accessible consumer humanoid
NEO steps into a growing but competitive humanoid robotics space. Tesla’s Optimus remains in prototype form with uncertain release dates. Companies like Figure AI and XPENG have introduced humanoid models but have yet to open consumer preorders. NEO is currently the first humanoid robot available for general consumer purchase or rental.
In terms of practical costs, operating NEO is expected to be affordable, likely costing less than $1 per day in electricity. The $20,000 price includes premium support and a three-year warranty. A refundable $200 deposit secures preorder spots. NEO is available in blue, beige, or black and comes with washable, protective clothing to minimise injury risks during interactions.
Widespread adoption depends on resolving privacy doubts and proving the robot’s autonomy and safety in everyday use. For now, NEO leads as the most accessible consumer humanoid.
