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When will humanoid robots be ready for household chores? While many robotics experts take a long view on the topic, 1X Technologies AS today unveiled the NEO Beta prototype of its humanoid as it prepares for pilot deployments in select homes later this year.
The company has been working on humanoids for more than a decade and has been an innovator since the introduction of the EVE robot, a predecessor to NEO, in 2017. Earlier this year, 1X then added members with corporate experience to its leadership as it readies for larger-scale deployments.
NEO Beta marks a move by 1X to expand from commercial settings to consumer use. It builds on EVE’s skillset for manipulating objects and years of experience, said the company.
1X employs more than a dozen full-time operators to help its robots learn and refine various tasks. The company is designing NEO for mass production in its factory in Moss, Norway. It also has offices in Sunnyvale, Calif.; Irving, Texas; and Oslo, Norway.
Safety first for humanoid developers
Humanoid robots operating around trained personnel in warehouses or factories is one thing; putting them in homes around consumers, children, and pets is another. While standards groups are working on safety guidelines, developers such as 1X are keeping product safety in mind.
“Our priority is safety,” said Bernt Børnich, CEO of 1X. “Safety is the cornerstone that allows us to confidently introduce NEO Beta into homes, where it will gather essential feedback and demonstrate its capabilities in real-world settings.”
“This year, we are deploying a limited number of NEO units in selected homes for research and development purposes,” he explained. “Doing so means we are taking another step toward achieving our mission.”
The humanoid trials to date have been in controlled environments such as warehouses and factories. They include Agility Robotics‘ Digit and Apptronik‘s Apollo at GXO Logistics. Amazon has also tested Digit, while Mercedes-Benz has tested Apollo.
In addition, BMW is testing Figure AI’s humanoid, and Boston Dynamics plans to test its latest version of Atlas in Hyundai’s facilities.
IEEE recently launched a study group to understand the current state of safety regulations for humanoid robots. This review process is planned to take a year, followed by another year or more before approval of any safety standards and testing criteria.
1X designs NEO Beta for consumer use
According to 1X Technologies, NEO was designed from the ground up to be a consumer robot. To support that goal, the robot will weigh considerably less than its competitors at 25 kg (66 lb.), it said. The Beta prototype is a bit heavier.
By comparison, Tesla Optimus GEN2 weighs 57 kg (152 lb.), Figure 02 weighs 70 kg (187 lb.), and the Unitree G1 weighs 35 kg (94 lb.).
While every humanoid robot manufacturer wants to avoid a collision with human beings, there will inevitably be accidents. How the robots respond in these situations could make the difference between a bandage and an emergency room visit.
Not only is the NEO Beta robot lighter than its competitors, but it’s also soft, said Børnich. Several other humanoids have rigid plastic or metal skins, while NEO is clad in a jumpsuit that contains cushioned inserts where human muscles might be.
Børnich also stated that there are no pinch points on 1X’s robot. The Robot Report will share a follow-up conversation with him next week about the company’s technology and consumer strategy.
Unlike EVE, NEO has legs and is designed for consumer use. Source: 1X Technologies
Funding and pricing in progress
Funding has been flowing to humanoid robotics developers, with startups raising more than $4.2 billion in financing through June, reported Crunchbase. A top example is Figure AI, which raised $675 million and was valued at $2.6 billion in February.
However, the utility and affordability of such robots has yet to be proven.
In January, 1X Technologies raised a $100 million Series B to begin its next phase of expansion and growth. There is no word yet from the company on the street price for NEO.
Tesla’s Elon Musk has repeatedly claimed that Optimus will eventually be available for under $20,000, and the Unitree G1 is allegedly selling for $16,000.
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