“Building a world where we do more of what we love, while our humanoid companions handle the rest,” states the Norwegian tech company 1X Technologies, which is launching Neo, the Norwegian robot taking care of housework.
1X Technologies is a Norwegian-American robotics and artificial intelligence company developing general-purpose humanoid robots for home environments. The company is headquartered in Palo Alto, California, with primary manufacturing operations in Hayward and additional manufacturing in Moss, Norway.
The company calls Neo the world’s first humanoid robot made for everyday consumers. 1X Technologies is an AI and robotics company on a mission to build a truly abundant society through general-purpose robots capable of performing any work autonomously.
“Neo closes the gap between our imagination and the world we live in, to the point where we can actually ask a humanoid robot for help, and help is given,” says Bernt Børnich, CEO and founder of 1X, in a press release.
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“We believe that to understand the world and grow in intelligence truly, humanoid robots must live and learn alongside us. That’s why we’re focused on developing NEO—our flagship product—a friendly home robot designed to integrate seamlessly into everyday life and handle chores for you,” he adds.
1X Technologies was founded in 2014 by Norwegian roboticist Bernt Øivind Børnich under the name Halodi Robotics. The company initially focused on developing safe actuators and full-body control systems for industrial and healthcare robotics.
In 2018, it released its first humanoid robot, EVE, designed for logistics, security, and medical environments.
In 2022, the company rebranded as 1X Technologies and shifted its focus to domestic robotics, developing humanoid assistants for private homes.
In March 2023, 1X raised $23.5 million in Series A2 funding, led by the OpenAI Startup Fund, with participation from Tiger Global, Sandwater, Alliance Ventures, and Skagerak Capital.
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In 2024, the company introduced Neo Beta and shared the robot with the world for the first time, following a commitment to develop humanoids alongside humans.
Neo Gamma, launched this year, is the updated version of NEO, better suited for home use and bringing X1 one step closer to entering homes across the US.
Neo has built-in artificial and visual intelligence that will allow it to have natural conversations, recognize ingredients, and suggest dishes to make.
The robot comes in beige, gray, and dark brown. It weighs 30 kilograms, can lift 70 kilograms, and carry 25 kilograms. Neo can now be pre-ordered in the United States for $ 20,000, equivalent to approximately 200,000 Norwegian kroner, with delivery in 2026. Later, a subscription model will also be available for $ 499 per month.
The robot will be available in other markets from 2027, according to 1X. It is not known when it will be available in Norway.
Neo – the Norwegian Robot Taking Care of Housework, Tor Kjolberg reporting.
All illustrations © 1X Technologies.