Norway’s 1X Unveils Neo Gamma, a Humanoid Robot for Home Use
Norwegian robotics company 1X has introduced its latest humanoid robot, Neo Gamma, designed for home environments. The prototype follows Neo Beta, which debuted in August, and is currently undergoing limited in-home testing.
Neo Gamma is built to perform household tasks such as making coffee, doing laundry, and vacuuming. Unlike many humanoid robots prioritising industrial applications, 1X is focusing on home use, setting it apart from competitors like Agility, Apptronik, Boston Dynamics, Figure, and Tesla.
The robot features a soft, knitted nylon suit to minimise potential injuries from human interaction. 1X has also enhanced its onboard AI system to improve safety and awareness of surroundings. Teleoperation remains a key feature, allowing human intervention when necessary.
Home robots have struggled to gain widespread adoption beyond robotic vacuums. For humanoid robots to succeed in homes, they must be reliable, affordable, and safe. With an ageing population, independent living solutions for older adults are a key target for this technology.
1X gained industry attention when OpenAI became an early investor. The company has been developing in-house AI models to enhance speech and body language interactions. It remains unclear how much of Neo Gamma’s advancements stem from 1X’s collaboration with OpenAI or its acquisition of Bay Area startup Kind Humanoid in January.
The company has not disclosed how many Neo Gamma units will be produced. The product videos released with the announcement serve as a proof of concept, demonstrating how the robot could function in a home setting.
While humanoid robots are progressing in industrial applications, significant improvements in pricing, reliability, safety, and functionality are needed before they become viable for home use.
1X has unveiled Neo Gamma, a humanoid robot designed for home environments
The robot can perform household tasks like making coffee, doing laundry, and vacuuming
Neo Gamma features a soft design and improved AI for safety and awareness
Source: TECH CRUNCH