Its hardware is based on a tendon-driven design using high torque motors for smooth, safe movements, allowing it to operate safely among people. NEO features hands with 22 degrees of freedom, a soft body made from 3D lattice polymer, and weighs 66 pounds. It can lift up to 154 pounds and carry up to 55 pounds, while producing just 22 decibels of noise, which is less than a modern refrigerator. NEO comes equipped with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 5G connectivity, and speakers built into its pelvis and chest, designed so it can even be used as a mobile entertainment system.
NEO’s design is meant to blend in with typical home interiors, with neutral colors and a fabric “suit” and shoes. It comes in tan, gray, or dark brown and is now available for pre-order through 1X’s online store. The first units are slated to ship for US-based customers in 2026, with 1X planning to expand to other markets in 2027. The reserved price: $20,000 for early access with priority delivery next year. (There’s also a $499-per-month subscription model.)
The company’s CEO and founder, Bernt Børnich, said in a press release that NEO marks the moment when humanoid robots, once only seen in science fiction and research, become real consumer products that any person can own.
This story originally appeared on Computerworld
