1X, a Norwegian robotics startup, has just unveiled NEO Beta, a humanoid robot designed specifically for home environments. The company released two videos showcasing impressive capabilities of the pre-production model.
The first shows NEO assisting a woman by retrieving and handing her a backpack before she departs, and the second shows the robot unpacking wine glasses and delicately handling eggs in a kitchen.
What stands out most in these demonstrations is not just what NEO does, but how it does it—silently, efficiently, and with a level of dexterity that appear remarkably human-like. In fact, some people on X (formerly Twitter) incorrectly accused the video of being fake with a human wearing a suit.
At 5.41 feet tall and weighing just 66 pounds, NEO is built to fit naturally into the spaces designed for humans. Its muscle-inspired anatomy replaces traditional rigid hydraulics, enabling it to perform delicate tasks with surprising grace. From manipulating fragile glassware to hefting a 44-pound load, NEO demonstrates versatility that matches its impressive specs - including a walking speed of 2.5 mph and a jogging pace of 7.5 mph.
Perhaps NEO's most intriguing feature is its approach to communication. You will notice that NEO does not speak in the demo videos, yet, it responds intuitively to human gestures, body language and voice commands. This non-verbal communication is crucial because humans often convey intentions through subtle cues—like a nod or a glance—that NEO can interpret and act on. By mimicking human behavior in both movement and response, NEO bridges the gap between human and machine, making interactions feel natural and intuitive.
NEO's near-silent operation is another engineering triumph. Even during complex movements, the robot remains virtually silent—a far cry from the noisy actuators we have seen in other popular models like Boston Dynamics Electric Atlas. This deliberate decision is aimed at creating a robot that blends into the ambiance of home life as opposed to a warehouse floor.
The robot's five-fingered hands are another standout feature, offering a level of dexterity uncommon in many of its competitors. NEO is shown interacting with objects of varying sizes and fragilities, demonstrating an impressive range of fine motor skills. Whether it’s delicately placing wine glasses in a cupboard or lifting a backpack, NEO handles each task with a level of precision that suggests a deep understanding of the physical properties of the objects and their handling requirements.
Powering NEO’s capabilities is embodied intelligence—a sophisticated AI system integrated into its physical form that allows it to continuously learn and adapt from its environment. NEO builds on the experiences of its predecessor, EVE, another humanoid robot developed by 1X, which was showcased earlier this year navigating an office environment entirely autonomously.
The knowledge gained from EVE's interactions has been integrated into NEO, enabling it to understand both natural language and the physical space it operates in. As NEO performs tasks, it becomes increasingly efficient, learning from each interaction to better serve its human companions.
1X's CEO, Bernt Børnich, emphasizes safety as the cornerstone of NEO's design. This focus on security has enabled the company to confidently deploy NEO in homes for real-world testing and feedback, a crucial step in refining the technology.
In January, 1X successfully raised a $100 million Series B round, and is backed by OpenAI, Tiger Global and EQT Ventures. This funding has allowed 1X to ramp up production and accelerate its path to market, with the goal of making NEO a common feature in households around the world.
NEO's unveiling comes at a time of intense innovation and competition in the humanoid robotics space. Recent weeks have seen impressive demonstrations from Chinese startups like Astribot, Unitree, and Zhiyuan, as well as established players such as Boston Dynamics, Tesla, and Figure 1. Each of these companies is vying to be the first to bring safe, useful humanoid robots into our homes and workplaces. With its advanced capabilities, intuitive interaction, and quiet operation, NEO just made yet another compelling entry into the crowded market.
With its advanced capabilities, intuitive interaction, and near-silent operation, NEO represents yet another compelling entry into this rapidly evolving market. As 1X refines NEO through real-world testing, they're not just developing another robot, but potentially reshaping our daily interactions with technology.
Update: Check out this amazing video from S3!