Norwegian Robotics Startup 1X Plans to Test Humanoid Robot in Homes
Early Tests
Norwegian robotics startup 1X plans to start early tests of its humanoid robot, Neo Gamma, in "a few hundred to a few thousand" homes by the end of 2025, according to the company’s CEO, Bernt Børnich.
"In recent months, the hype around humanoid robots for the home seems to have reached new heights."
Rise of Humanoid Robots
Figure, a Bay Area-based competitor to 1X with an active social media presence, announced in February that it would also begin home tests of its humanoid robots in 2025. Weeks later, Bloomberg reported Figure was in talks for a $1.5 billion fundraise at an eye-watering $40 billion valuation. OpenAI — a 1X investor — is also reportedly exploring building its own humanoid robots.
Challenges Ahead
However, putting heavy metal robots into peoples’ homes raises the stakes for the nascent industry. It’s not unlike autonomous vehicle startups putting their robotaxis on the road. It can turn south — quickly.
Limited Autonomy
However, Børnich is quite open about the fact Neo Gamma is a long way off from commercial scaling and autonomy. While Neo Gamma uses AI to walk and balance, the robot is not fully capable of autonomous movements today. To make in-home tests possible, Børnich says 1X is "bootstrapping the process" by relying on teleoperators — humans in remote locations that can view Neo Gamma’s cameras and sensors in real-time, and take control of its limbs.
Data Collection and Training
These in-home tests will allow 1X to collect data on how Neo Gamma operates in the home. Early adopters will help create a large, valuable dataset that 1X can use to train in-house AI models and upgrade Neo Gamma’s capabilities.
Privacy Concerns
Collecting data from microphones and cameras inside of people’s homes and then training AI models on it raises a whole host of privacy concerns, of course. In an email to TechCrunch, a company spokesperson said customers can decide when a 1X employee can view Neo Gamma’s surroundings — whether for auditing or teleoperation.
The Future of Humanoid Robots
Unveiled in February, Neo Gamma is the first bipedal robot prototype that 1X plans to test outside of the lab. Compared to Neo Beta, its predecessor, Neo Gamma features an improved onboard AI model, and a knitted nylon body suit that aims to reduce potential injuries from robot-to-human contact.
Conclusion
While a few hundred or thousand people might get to try an early, human-assisted version of Neo Gamma this year, it seems we’re still many years away from autonomous humanoid robots that you can just buy off the shelf.
FAQs
- Q: How many homes will 1X test Neo Gamma in?
A: A few hundred to a few thousand homes by the end of 2025. - Q: What is the current state of Neo Gamma’s autonomy?
A: Neo Gamma is not fully capable of autonomous movements today. - Q: How will 1X collect and use data from in-home tests?
A: 1X will collect data on how Neo Gamma operates in the home and use it to train in-house AI models and upgrade Neo Gamma’s capabilities. - Q: What are the privacy concerns surrounding 1X’s data collection practices?
A: Collecting data from microphones and cameras inside of people’s homes and then training AI models on it raises a whole host of privacy concerns.
