The Norwegian company 1X has opened reservations for NEO, a domestic humanoid robot designed to handle repetitive tasks and coexist with people without disrupting the visual harmony of the home. NEO stands 1.68 meters tall, weighs 29.94 kilograms, and boasts a “soft” design: a body padded with 3D polymer, a knit turtleneck suit, and smooth movements thanks to tendon actuators. This makes it more textile and less visibly a machine, a key consideration for interior spaces.
Price and Availability: A $200 deposit is required, with the purchase price set at $20,000 or a subscription option of $499/month. Deliveries are scheduled for 2026.
Value to Your Home Beyond the “Wow” Effect:
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Sustained Time and Order: NEO can transport laundry to the washroom, clear countertops, carry food to the refrigerator, or move bags (up to 24.95 kg) without interrupting your evening. It has a 4-hour autonomy and automatically returns to its charging base.
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Friendly and Quiet Coexistence: With a noise level of 22 dB (quieter than a refrigerator), it doesn’t disrupt the ambiance of a living room or study. Its padding and knit reduce the visual and tactile impact typical of a robot, feeling “soft and safe” in hallways, bedrooms, and living areas.
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Routines that Really Work: You can define a list of tasks and schedules through the app: upon return, there are fewer things scattered around. If something new comes up, you can activate Expert Mode for a 1X specialist to remotely guide it while it learns.
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Timely Assistance: Incorporates 360° microphones, 8 MP cameras, and speakers for basic conversation: reminders, recipe ideas, a joke with the kids… It doesn’t replace human relationships, but it unlocks small shortcuts throughout the day.
Aesthetic Integration: How to “Dress” NEO in Your Decoration:
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Palette and Textures: Its knit suit acts as another textile piece. Opt for neutral and matte tones around it (rugs, curtains, cushions) and avoid overly saturated colors that might compete with it.
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Charging Nook: Allocate a neat corner for it: a wooden tray or platform, a skirting board with hidden channel, and perhaps a small acoustic panel behind (to improve ambient sound).
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Passage Flows: Place the base outside natural pathways (main hallway or in front of doors) to avoid the house “revolving” around the robot.
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Textile and Cleaning: The knit is machine washable: keep it fresh as you would a cushion cover—useful if there are pets or allergens.
Safety and Coexistence with Children and Pets:
- “Pinch-Proof” Design and padded body to minimize pinches and bumps.
- Stop Button and configurable prohibited zones.
- Hand Height: Set rules (e.g., “do not interact with the crib/playpen”).
- Spills and Liquids: Remember that outdoor use is only in dry conditions.
Consumption and Total Cost (for Those Who Calculate):
- Energy: A 0.75 kWh battery lasts ~4 hours ⇒ average consumption ≈0.19 kW. A daily session of 2–3 hours could be around 0.4–0.6 kWh (approximately 0.10–0.20 $/day depending on the rate).
- Economic Model: Purchase ($20,000) or subscription ($499/month). Useful to estimate hours saved/week: if it frees up 3–5 hours weekly, the cost per “recovered” hour can be reasonable in very active households.
Conclusion for a Beautiful (and Practical) Home:
NEO is not a sci-fi butler, but a domestic helper that walks and manipulates with an aesthetic designed for real interiors: quiet, textile, non-threatening. By giving it an integrated corner, defining sensible routes, and setting clear rules, it can take microtasks off your hands every day and help maintain order without breaking visual harmony. The key will be in two words that also define good interior design: coherence and measure. With them, a robot like this not only fits in your home—it adds value.