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The Norwegian company 1X has opened reservations for NEO, a humanoid robot designed to blend into the home seamlessly. Standing at 5.5 ft tall and weighing 66 lb, its soft design includes a padded polymer body and a knit suit, aiming not just for efficiency, but visual integration into contemporary interiors. Reservations can be made for $200; the retail price is $20,000 or $499/month, with deliveries expected in 2026.
Practical (and Visible) Value in a Real Home
Maintaining Order
NEO can transport laundry to the laundry room, deliver food to the fridge, clear countertops, and move bags or objects weighing up to 55 lb. When you return home, the effect is tangible: less clutter and more clear surfaces.
Meeting Routines
Task lists and schedules can be programmed via mobile. If it encounters a new task, it enters Expert Mode: a specialist from 1X provides remote assistance, and the robot learns while completing the task.
Pleasant Coexistence
The declared noise level is 22 dB (quieter than a modern refrigerator), ensuring it doesn’t disrupt the ambiance of a living room, office, or bedroom. The robot’s tendon actuators smooth its movements, and the padded body offers passive safety in narrow hallways.
Daily Use Autonomy
It includes a battery of 0.75 kWh with up to 4 hours of use per charge and features automatic docking to its base. With 5G connectivity, it can operate indoors and, when the weather is dry, also outdoors (on porches or terraces).
Integrating It into Your Decor (Without It Taking Over)
A Thoughtful “Charging Nook”
Placing the dock near the laundry room or in a home office prevents the house from revolving around the robot. In compact living rooms, it’s recommended to use a low cabinet that conceals wiring and leaves about 3 ft of space in front.
Textiles and Color Palette
The knit suit connects with cushions, blankets, and curtains. Neutral tones (greige, sand, warm gray) and matte materials work well to avoid visual competition.
Flow of Movement
Avoid placing bases in main hallways or in front of doors. If the priorities are kitchen and laundry, a route of “kitchen → laundry room → dining room” minimizes intersections with family members.
Room by Room: Uses That Make a Difference
- Kitchen: Carry light groceries to the fridge/pantry and clear surfaces before the robot vacuum cleans.
- Laundry Room: Transport clothes, organize baskets, and bring cleaning products closer.
- Living Room: Tidy books and blankets, clear auxiliary tables.
- Bedrooms: Assistance in tidying (does not replace a well-designed closet).
- Covered Outdoors: Small dry tasks on the terrace or porch.
Children, Pets, and Home Safety
NEO features a padded body and pinch-proof movements (avoiding pinching). For usage, it’s advisable to activate prohibited zones (e.g., children’s room or bathrooms at night) and test the stop button. To live with pets, the robot’s machine-washable fabric suit helps maintain freshness.
Energy Consumption and Maintenance (No Surprises)
A session of 2–3 hours typically uses about 0.4–0.6 kWh of electricity. The auto-docking feature extends battery life and simplifies routines. Keeping the fabric suit clean and checking the wheels/contact elements prevents dust from being dragged onto its base.
Integration with Your Digital Home Life
NEO listens, sees, and talks: it has 4 360° microphones, 2 8 MP cameras, and speakers. Built on an NVIDIA Jetson Thor platform, the robot can remember contexts and consult the Internet to solve everyday questions. For responsible coexistence, it’s recommended to define from day one which areas are not recorded, when it should deactivate, and how to delete records if desired.
Which Homes Does It Fit Especially Well?
- Families with busy schedules: reduces micro-tasks (pick up, carry, and bring), keeps surfaces clear, and syncs with vacuum/mop.
- Homes with laundry rooms or ironing rooms: makes better use of routes, and the base goes unnoticed.
- Seniors seeking assistance (after assessing their environment): aids in transporting objects and basic organization without infringing on the home’s aesthetic.
Mini Buying Guide
- Location of the Dock: nearby outlet, concealed wiring, and 3 ft of space in front.
- Task List: prioritize 3–4 key routines (laundry, countertops, tidying the living room, taking out recycling).
- Coexistence: define prohibited zones and quiet hours.
- Privacy: agree on offline mode and memory deletion when necessary.
- Service: confirm what the subscription includes (remote assistance, spare parts, visits).
Conclusion
NEO does not aim to be a “sci-fi butler,” but rather an assistant that moves and interacts smoothly and fits well into well-designed interiors. When given a thoughtful charging nook, sensible routes are planned, and usage rules are established, it offers sustained order and recovered time without disrupting the visual balance of the home. In decor, form follows function; with NEO, the function also respects form.
