1X Develops Home Humanoid Robot in Norway

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Norwegian robotics company 1X introduced its newest home robot, Neo Gamma, on Friday, marking a step forward from its predecessor, Neo Beta, which was unveiled in August. Neo Gamma, still in the prototype phase, is designed for testing in home environments. Photos released by the company show the robot engaging in various household chores such as brewing coffee, washing clothes, and cleaning floors.

1X plans to move Neo Gamma out of the lab for limited home testing, though they emphasize that the robot is far from being ready for widespread commercial use.

The Neo Gamma embodies a gentler approach to robotics, both in its appearance and functionality. 1X has crafted it to be more approachable, with a friendly exterior and a knitted nylon suit intended to minimize the risk of injury during human-robot interactions.

In a market crowded with humanoid robots from companies like Agility, Apptronik, Boston Dynamics, Figure, and Tesla, Neo Gamma stands out. While most competitors focus on industrial applications, 1X is uniquely targeting the home environment.

Home robots have historically struggled to gain traction, with the notable exception of robotic vacuums like those from iRobot. The challenge lies in the technology's current limitations, not a lack of effort.

To be viable in homes, robots must be not only useful and reliable but also affordable and safe, especially considering their potential use in supporting aging populations. As people live longer, technologies that enable independent living become increasingly vital.

1X highlights improvements in Neo Gamma's AI as crucial for enhancing safety. The robot's AI must be highly aware of its surroundings to prevent harm to people or property. Additionally, the ability for humans to remotely control the robot—teleoperation—adds another layer of safety, particularly important in home settings.

1X first caught the industry's attention when OpenAI announced its early investment. The concept of embodied AI—intelligence with a physical form—represents the next frontier in the rapidly evolving field of generative AI. OpenAI has since expanded its involvement in robotics, investing in 1X's competitor, Figure, and sparking rumors about its own robotics projects.

Generative AI plays a significant role in enhancing human-robot interactions, particularly in making conversations more natural. 1X has been developing its own AI models to improve Neo Gamma's speech and body language. While it's unclear how much of Neo Gamma's advancements stem from 1X's collaboration with OpenAI or its acquisition of Kind Humanoid in January, these partnerships are clearly influential.

1X has not revealed the number of Neo Gamma units produced or planned during its beta phase. The videos released with the launch serve as a demonstration of what the robot might do in a home setting.

While industrial humanoid robots are beginning to move beyond pilot stages, significant hurdles remain in terms of cost, reliability, safety, and functionality before they can be seriously considered for home use.

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