Norwegian robotics firm 1X will be testing its humanoid robot, Neo Gamma, in a few hundred to a few thousand homes by the end of 2025. The move is a significant one in the development of home-centric humanoid robots, with 1X seeking to obtain real-world feedback to enhance Neo Gamma’s functionality. The robot is designed to assist in household chores, such as vacuuming, laundry, and cleaning, and features advanced AI and a user-friendly design.
Neo Gamma is the successor of Neo Beta and features improvements such as conversation capability, manipulation capability, and a whole-body controller. It is designed to mimic human movement in order for it to perform tasks like squatting to pick up objects from the floor and sitting in chairs. The robot’s exterior is draped in a soft, knitted nylon costume, which makes the robot appear more human-like and also protects fragile objects in the home from injury.
1X’s plan in launching humanoid robots into households is different from other companies, which are focusing on industrial settings. The company believes that pushing robots into domestic environments is crucial to developing their intelligence and independence. By placing Neo Gamma in real homes, 1X hopes to gain diverse data that will enable it to refine the robot’s behavior and adaptability.
But Neo Gamma isn’t quite ready to go solo. To ensure safety and effectiveness in in-home trials, 1X will be assisted by teleoperators—individuals who can remotely control the robot’s movements based on real-time input from its sensors and cameras. The approach allows for instant intervention if needed, while also providing valuable insight into how the robot performs in an environment.
Testing humanoid robots in houses is a choice that comes with gigantic privacy concerns. 1X addresses these concerns by giving customers control over when company employees can access data from Neo Gamma’s sensors. This includes control over when teleoperators can view the surroundings of the robot for auditing or operations purposes.
The wider background of humanoid robots in the home is picking up interest, with other firms such as Figure also set to test their robots in homes in 2025. OpenAI, which is an investor in 1X, is said to be working on its own humanoid robotics initiatives, again indicating the level of interest in this technology.
Though there is hype around home-based humanoids, there are significant challenges ahead. These robots must be reliable, affordable, and safe to be universally acceptable. The industry has the same hurdles as those encountered by autonomous car startups, where real-world testing is both crucial and risky. Still, companies like 1X are pushing forward, driven by the possibilities of humanoid robots revolutionizing home life and assisting with household tasks, especially for older individuals who might benefit from autonomous living assistance.
