NEO Humanoid Robot to Hit Market by 2026 - But Is It Worth $20,000?

A new AI-powered home robot is set to hit the market in 2026, according to 1X Technologies. However, The Wall Street Journal’s early testing found that the device still struggles with basic household tasks, including loading a dishwasher and even bringing a bottle of water

NEO Humanoid Robot Coming in 2026 (Photo: 1X Technologies)

A new AI-powered household companion is set to hit the market in 2026. Developed by Norwegian-American robotics company 1X Technologies, headquartered in Palo Alto, the robot, which named NEO, is designed to help streamline daily life at home.

According to the company, NEO can “transform your home” by handling everyday chores, freeing users to focus on what matters most. By simply assigning tasks and scheduling when they should be completed, NEO can automate routine household duties. It also features conversational abilities, allowing owners to ask questions, access personalized information, or even enjoy a quick joke.

This new technology can assist with everyday tasks by automating household chores - owners can simply give NEO a list of duties and schedule when they should be completed. Its capabilities include basic cleaning, bringing a bottle of water, and even making coffee.

NEO can also communicate with its users, offering “instant access to knowledge, personalized intelligence, or even a joke.”

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Bernt Børnich, CEO and founder of 1X Technologies, said NEO “closes the gap between our imaginations and the world we live in,” per Business Wire.

According to the company, NEO is “built for full autonomy.” However, the robot does come with limitations. It currently cannot cook, and only its hands are waterproof — the rest of the body is not.

Additionally, owners must consent to the possibility of a company representative remotely accessing NEO’s camera vision to help complete tasks, though 1X says this access is limited, per The Wall Street Journal.

Early tests have found that NEO can be slow and struggle with certain tasks - taking more than three minutes to deliver a bottle of water and over five minutes to load a dishwasher. The starting price is expected to be around $20,000, with 1X stressing that this is a first-generation model that will improve over time.