A California tech company is selling an AI humanoid that can make your life easier — but it might break the bank.
The 5’6″ humanoid, from California tech company 1X Technologies, named NEO, is set to launch in the US in early 2026. You don’t ever have to think of washing the dishes or doing laundry ever again, as long as you pay a monthly $499 subscription or just purchase NEO for a whopping $20,000
You’ll even be able to pick out a color for the helpful bot — tan, gray or dark brown.
“Humanoids were long a thing of sci-fi… then they were a thing of research, but today — with the launch of NEO — humanoid robots become a product,” Bernt Børnich, CEO and Founder OF 1X, said.
“Something that you and me can reach out and touch. NEO closes the gap between our imaginations and the world we live in, to the point where we can actually ask a humanoid robot for help, and help is granted.”
Preorders for NEO began this week and require a $200 deposit for eager customers.
The freaky-looking humanoid will be able to perform functions like “opening doors for guests, fetching items, and turning off the lights at night — and grows in abilities with every software update,” according to the tech company.
The “Chores” feature will allow users to give NEO tasks to complete around their home and even specify times for when they want those tasks completed. Talk about efficiency!
Owners of NEO will have the option of checking in on the humanoid via an app on their phone to see what it’s up to.
The humanoid’s built-in facial camera will be able to get a view of your house and help complete unfamiliar tasks.
For any task that NEO does not know how to do, users can make an appointment with a 1X expert to guide the AI robot through it.
1X is using Audio and Visual Intelligence, which allows NEO to recognize and respond when being addressed and enhance interactions such as recognizing ingredients, suggesting dishes to make, and adapting its responses over time.
People had mixed reviews when the news broke of this creepy but helpful bot.
One person wrote on X: “Ordered. Can’t wait to try NEO fully autonomous mode and see how it performs!”
“wtf you gonna do when this thing gets mad and murders you in your sleep,” another person wrote in opposition of the AI robot.
