The days when robots were limited to movie screens seem to be coming to an end. American company 1X Home Robots this week unveiled NEO , a humanoid robot that promises to revolutionize household chores . The company claims that it is the first ready-to-use home robot that can fully take on tasks such as folding clothes, tidying shelves and cleaning rooms — all with a simple voice command or a digital “click . ”
The “smart” mind behind the robot
NEO is not just a mechanical assistant. At its “heart” lies a large language model (LLM) — similar to those used by modern artificial intelligence platforms — capable of learning the user’s habits and preferences. Through constant interaction, the robot adapts to its owner’s lifestyle, even offering personalized suggestions: from what food to prepare to when to remind them of an important date.
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1X says that new NEO owners can train the robot to perform customized tasks, with the help of the company’s dedicated technicians who will do the necessary programming. In essence, each robot can be made “unique,” with skills that reflect the needs of each household.
Connectivity and entertainment in one
Beyond its practical features, NEO features WiFi, Bluetooth and a three-stage speaker, making it a mobile entertainment center. The user can ask it to play music, podcasts or manage smart home devices, making it a multi-tool at the service of the modern home.
The robot has human-like arms with impressive capabilities: it can lift over 68 kilograms and carry objects up to 25 kilograms, which allows it to perform everything from everyday tasks to more demanding household movements.
The company says its goal isto “bring science fiction into everyday life,” transforming the home from a place of obligation into a place of relaxation and pleasure. Simply put, NEO isn’t just here to clean — it’s here to change the way we live in our homes.
The price of innovation
Of course, this technology comes at a cost. NEO will first be released in the United States in 2026 and will expand to other regions in 2027.It will be priced at $20,000, and will also be available with a subscription model for $499 per month. Despite the high price, the company is betting that the “smart” device is mature enough to accept such a radical product.
See also: DoorDash uses Serve Robotics robots for deliveries in Los Angeles
Privacy Issue: When the Robot “Sees You”
However, as the Wall Street Journal, the technology is not yet perfect. NEO may need human supervision for some tasks. According to the newspaper, a company technician may have access to the robot's vision to help with difficult tasks, which raises legitimate concerns about user privacy.
The 1X CEO said that collecting user data is necessary to continuously improve NEO’s algorithms , adding that the company is committed to upholding “the highest standards of security and anonymity.”
The competition is heating up
Earlier this month, Figure AI unveiled the Figure 03, a similarly humanoid robot — though it hasn't yet reached pre-order. Meanwhile, smaller, non- humanoid models, like the SwitchBot K20+ Pro, continue to evolve, offering services like cleaning, mopping, and pet monitoring.
See also: Chinese company created incredibly realistic robotic head
A look at the future of robotic home help
The advent of robots like NEO shows that home robotics is entering a new era, where artificial intelligence and mechanics work together to eliminate the most tedious aspects of everyday life. While the idea of a robot housekeeper may seem like a luxury today, experts estimate that within the next decade such systems will be a common feature in middle-class homes.
The future, it seems, will not only be “smart” — it will be humanoid.
