NEO: A humanoid robot that folds laundry, tidies the house, and learns over time

The era of humanoid robots in the home has officially begun. Norway-based robotics company 1X has launched pre-orders for its humanoid robot, called NEO . NEO is designed to take over a wide range of tasks, from folding laundry and organizing shelves to setting reminders and learning new skills. The company describes it as "the safest, most capable, and most affordable humanoid robot ever built."

"For a long time, humanoid robots were the stuff of science fiction, then they found their way into research labs. But today, with the launch of NEO, humanoid robots are becoming a real product," said Bernt Børnich, CEO and founder of 1X, emphasizing this turning point.

The era of smart robots at home begins

At the heart of NEO is a system called "Chores." This feature allows users to assign tasks to their robots via voice command or app, schedule them, and track progress. NEO organizes rooms, folds laundry, and tidies up in real time. Even if it doesn't yet know a task, it can learn it over time thanks to a training mode.

Beyond physical tasks, NEO's built-in Large Language Model (LLM) allows it to speak without a screen and respond contextually. Voice Intelligence allows it to listen only when directly addressed. Visual Intelligence allows it to recognize and interpret objects. For example, it can identify ingredients on the kitchen counter and suggest recipes .

NEO can remember previous conversations, shopping lists, or birthdays, and responds more appropriately to the user over time. In other words, the company claims NEO isn't just a helper; it's a constantly learning digital roommate. NEO's brain is powered by 1X's proprietary AI model. Trained using data collected from real-life home environments, this system can open doors, bring in items, or turn off lights. It also learns new skills and adapts to the home's layout through software updates.

On the hardware side, it's equipped with the company's patented Tendon Drive system and motors with the world's highest torque density. This ensures natural, fluid movements, and is designed to be compatible with human interaction. Weighing just 29.9 kg, the robot can lift up to 69.8 kg and operates at a 22 dB level. This means it's quieter than a modern refrigerator.

The company's statements reveal that it positions this humanoid robot more as a roommate than a helper. In the future, such humanoid robots are expected to integrate with smart home systems, making daily life even easier. However, as development is still ongoing, early user feedback appears likely to determine NEO's future.