A tech company in California has introduced an autonomous AI-driven robot capable of handling household chores for a monthly fee of $500.
This humanoid robot, named Neo, stands at five-foot-six and weighs 30 kg. It is set to be launched in the United States in early 2026 by 1X Technologies, a company based in Palo Alto.
Imagine having someone to take care of those persistent and bothersome daily tasks for you.
Tasks like doing laundry, washing dishes, and even coming up with meal ideas to ensure the contents of your fridge don’t go to waste can be overwhelming.
Now, with Neo, a quiet and lightweight humanoid, your daily life can become a bit more manageable. Although the cost is $499 for a monthly subscription or $20,000 for outright purchase, it offers a fascinating solution.
Available in tan, gray, and dark brown, Neo will first be available in the US, with a global release expected in 2027.
Neo can autonomously manage certain tasks, allowing you to monitor its activities through a smartphone app while you are away.
However, for more complex tasks, a remote expert from 1X might be required to assist in training the robot. Using its built-in facial camera, Neo can survey your home to better understand and perform unfamiliar tasks.
1X advises users in their FAQ section to “remain attentive during operation,” particularly “in the presence of children, vulnerable people or pets.”
Pre-orders began on Tuesday (October 28), and 1X released a nine-minute video detailing Neo’s functionality, which has garnered over 18 million views on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Opinions on Neo’s introduction have been varied, with many reflecting on how close our reality is to the robot-centric movies of our childhood.
Some comments focused on Neo’s appearance.
“Did you guys not watch iRobot?” one social media user questioned, while another, sharing a screenshot from the movie, remarked: “It’s time.”
“It’s hilarious we are literally moving in the direction of all the films we watch. iRobot etc,” another person observed.
The 2004 film starring Will Smith, set shortly in the future, depicts robots rebelling against humans under the pretense of protection.
Another user humorously wondered which “Black Mirror” episode we might be living in, a valid inquiry indeed.
“Good call making it 3/4 size. Easier to dominate when they inevitably start trying to kill us,” someone humorously noted.
“Will it nag my husband for me?” another person joked.
Concerns were also raised about the concept of teleoperators controlling the robot in one’s home.