Palo Alto-based robotics company 1X has announced that they’re just about ready to release one of the most long-awaited technological products of all time – the humanoid robot that works in your home. Named Neo, 1X has asserted that the robot will be able to work in your home just like a human housekeeper – it’ll do laundry, tidy the house and fetch you things whenever you need.
But, as revolutionary as that sounds, the news has also sparked debate that was inevitable – is the future finally here, or is it just reserved for those who can afford to buy it?
A Step Closer to Science Fiction
Humanoid robots have long been a dream in both science fiction and robotics labs – capable of not only performing tasks, but also moving and responding like a human. Neo seems to inch us closer to that dream.
According to 1X, Neo will stand roughly the same height as an adult. It can walk, grasp objects and respond to voice commands. It has soft-touch materials, expressive eyes and sensors that allow it to understand and navigate human environments. Basically, it looks and behaves far less like a vacuum cleaner with arms, and more like something out of “Ex Machina”.
Neo’s AI system integrates with smart home devices, meaning you could, theoretically, say “Neo, make me a coffee”, and it would handle everything from starting the espresso machine to bringing it to you.
Exciting? Or terrifying?
The Price Tag Problem
At £17,000, however, Neo isn’t exactly the kind of robot you’ll find in every home just yet. That price point puts it firmly in luxury territory – it’s something for the tech elite, or perhaps a futuristic novelty for those who can afford an extra pair of robotic hands.
1X insists that the price reflects cutting-edge technology and development costs, and that as production scales up, the cost will eventually fall. And that’s very plausible – after all, most advanced technology that we use every day started out like this. But still, the question remains: will robots like Neo widen the gap between the tech-empowered few and the rest of us? Are we contributing to the widening of inequality gaps, not only within countries but transnationally too?
For now, Neo may be more of a status symbol than a household necessity – a sign that we’ve entered an era where automation doesn’t just exist in our pockets, but in our living rooms too.
The Human Question: What About Safety And Trust?
There’s also the matter of safety. With cameras, sensors and AI-driven decision-making, humanoid robots introduce a complex new layer of privacy and ethical considerations.
Will Neo record your daily life? Where will that data go? How will the AI interpret commands that require judgment or care – like handling fragile objects or interacting with pets or children? Will we have total control over Neo?
1X says its robots are designed with “strict safety protocols” and that privacy and user control are central to its development. Neo will reportedly have local processing options, allowing tasks to be managed on-device rather than through external cloud servers.
But, as with all AI-driven products, there’s still a sense that consumers will be asked to place a lot of trust in a machine that, by design, can learn and adapt over time. After all, that is both the point and the fear.
The Future of Domestic Work
While Neo may seem like a luxury right now, it’s part of a larger shift in how technology is redefining labour and convenience. Just as robotic vacuums and smart speakers were once expensive novelties, humanoid assistants could follow the same trajectory – starting out as elite gadgets before slowly becoming mainstream.
Still, Neo’s launch raises important questions about the future of domestic work. If robots eventually become affordable and capable enough to handle housework at scale, what does that mean for millions of real human housekeepers and domestic staff around the world?
1X says its goal isn’t to replace people, but to provide assistance and help fill labour gaps in regions where domestic help is costly or hard to find. However, history shows that automation often changes industries faster than society can adapt.
At the same time, though, is that a reason to try and stop it or slow it down? Or, is it an inescapable and unstoppable next step for this type of technology?
Another point to consider is the potential influence this could have on gender inequalities. Many argue that housekeeping has, historically, been a responsibility mostly reserved for humans. In the past, it’s been the reason why many women have been confined to their homes and prevented from being able to pursue professional careers. Housework has generally been undervalued and not considered as “real work”, while plenty of women around the world have spent their lives doing it while men have taken the responsibility of taking on jobs that bring home the bacon.
So, it’s reasonable to consider that this change affects women around the world more than men, both positively and negatively. With regard to the former, this shift in introducing humanoids into the world of housework could allow women more opportunities to pursue other opportunities. But, with regard to the latter, it would be the jobs of women that would dwindle and eventually, ccease to exist.
Again, these things don’t necessarily mean we should avoid the adoption of humanoid robots. But we should definitely take them into account.
So, Is the Future Finally Here?
For now, Neo represents both the promise and paradox of AI innovation.
On one hand, it’s a technical marvel – a product that could redefine convenience at home. On the other, it highlights the growing divide between those who can afford to live in the automated age and those still navigating an economy transformed by it. Never mind deeper, more complex social inequalities and differences.
Neo might not fold laundry for the average household anytime soon, but it does signal one thing clearly: the humanoid revolution is no longer a distant dream. It’s standing at your door – literally. For the small sum of about £17,000.
