On October 28, 2025, Norwegian-American robotics company 1X Technologies opened pre-orders for its new humanoid home assistant, NEO, which the company calls “the world’s first consumer-ready humanoid robot for the home.” According to BusinessWire, customers can choose between full ownership at $20,000 or a subscription plan costing $499 per month. The first US deliveries are scheduled for 2026, with international rollout expected in 2027.
Standing roughly five feet six inches tall and weighing about 66 pounds, NEO is designed to handle everyday tasks with both strength and gentleness. According to 1X Technologies, it can lift up to 154 pounds and carry around 55 pounds. The robot features tendon-driven actuators, has a flexible 3D-lattice polymer shell, and operates at only 22 decibels, making it quieter than most household appliances. Inside, it carries dual fish-eye cameras, four microphones, three speakers, and Nvidia-powered AI computing hardware. Owners will be able to command NEO via voice or mobile app to perform chores like folding laundry, taking out trash, watering plants, or fetching items—and over time, it’s designed to learn and improve through updates and experience.
“Humanoids were long a thing of sci-fi… then they were a thing of research, but today—with the launch of NEO—humanoid robots become a product. Something that you and me can reach out and touch,” Bernt Børnich, CEO and Founder of 1X Technologies, said. “NEO closes the gap between our imaginations and the world we live in, to the point where we can actually ask a humanoid robot for help, and help is granted.”
Still, that convenience carries a trade-off. According to Tom’s Guide, 1X confirmed that NEO’s early versions will rely on “human-in-the-loop” operation—meaning remote tele-operators can assist the robot through its camera feeds until it learns enough to perform tasks autonomously. This approach helps refine NEO’s software but raises privacy concerns about placing a camera-equipped, cloud-connected robot inside private homes.
Cost is another barrier. At nearly $20,000 per unit, NEO is firmly a premium product. The robot’s pricing will likely limit access to affluent early adopters. As stated by 1X Technology, NEO is the “most affordable” humanoid on Earth, but for now, NEO’s personalized assistance remains out of reach for most households.
There’s also the question of how human work at home might evolve. When machines begin doing physical domestic labor, human effort could shift toward supervision, customization, and oversight. Instead of cleaning or organizing, we might manage task queues or provide feedback to learning systems. Whether that’s liberation or dependency remains unsure.
Even so, 1X’s NEO may mark the beginning of a new chapter in household technology. With pre-orders now open and first deliveries less than a year away, the company is betting that the home of the future will include not just smart devices—but humanoid helpers that move, see, learn, and adapt. Whether this becomes a transformative technology or remains an expensive novelty will depend on what happens when NEO finally steps across the threshold into real homes.
