Meet NEO: The $20K Humanoid Robot That Can Cook, Chat, and Carry Groceries

American-Norwegian robotics and AI company 1X Technologies has unveiled its most ambitious product yet: NEO, a humanoid home assistant robot. NEO represents a strategic shift for the company, aiming to move humanoid robots from industrial and research environments into domestic spaces. Originally founded as Halodi Robotics by CEO Bernt Børnich, the company rebranded as 1X Technologies in 2022 with a mission to “create a truly abundant society through general-purpose robots capable of performing any kind of work autonomously.”

NEO Overview
NEO is a home assistant robot weighing 66 pounds (approximately 30 kg), capable of lifting over 150 pounds (68 kg) and carrying up to 55 pounds (25 kg), making it suitable for a variety of household tasks. The robot features an ambient, neutral-toned design with a soft knit suit and shoes, available in Tan, Gray, and Dark Brown, and customizable to fit the home environment. The company highlights its approachability and comfort, emphasizing that it is safe and non-intimidating for household settings.

NEO operates quietly, generating only 22 dB of noise, quieter than a modern refrigerator. Its body architecture is designed for dexterity, with 22-degree-of-freedom hands and a soft polymer body constructed using 3D lattice structures. The robot uses 1X’s patented Tendon Drive high torque-density actuators to enable smooth, gentle movements around humans. Connectivity features include WiFi, Bluetooth, and 5G, while a three-stage speaker system in the chest and pelvis doubles as a home entertainment device.

Intelligence and Autonomy
NEO is powered by a built-in large language model (LLM), allowing conversational interactions. Its audio intelligence can detect when it is being addressed, while visual intelligence provides contextual awareness. These capabilities enable NEO to recognize ingredients on a kitchen counter, suggest recipes, and personalize assistance over time through memory functions. Users can also automate chores, with the robot supporting task scheduling and real-time execution via verbal or button commands. Additionally, 1X Technologies allows owners to schedule 1X Experts to train NEO on new or customized tasks.

Availability and Pricing
NEO is currently available for pre-orders, with consumer deliveries starting in 2026 in the US. The company plans to expand to other markets by 2027. Early access units are priced at $20,000 (~Rs 17.6 lakh), with priority delivery in 2026, and an optional $499 monthly subscription model is also offered.

From Labs to Homes
NEO represents a notable shift from laboratory and research prototypes to domestic applications. While operating in home environments poses challenges—especially in terms of human safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance—the potential benefits are significant, including time savings, automation of mundane tasks, and convenience. Early models reportedly have limited autonomy and are sometimes tele-operated by human staff, meaning they function more as remote-controlled helpers rather than fully independent assistants. Mass adoption faces hurdles such as high cost, safety concerns, power management, and learning robustness.

Future Potential
Despite these challenges, experts believe humanoid and service robotics could become a multi-billion-dollar industry in the next decade, with home-assistant robots like NEO leading the way. By bridging the gap between industrial prototypes and domestic functionality, NEO showcases the future potential of general-purpose, autonomous robots in enhancing daily life, streamlining household tasks, and providing companionship and assistance in home environments.

In summary, NEO combines cutting-edge robotics, artificial intelligence, and human-centered design to offer a versatile and interactive home assistant. While initial units may require supervision, the long-term vision is to transform home automation, setting the stage for a broader adoption of humanoid robots in everyday life.