NEO is a bipedal, soft-bodied humanoid robot developed by 1X Technologies (formerly Halodi Robotics) for the consumer market. Officially launched on October 28, 2025, NEO represents one of the first humanoid robots designed specifically for home environments, with first deliveries scheduled for 2026.
Design Philosophy: Safety First
NEO's most distinctive feature is its safety-centric design. The entire robot is encased in a custom 3D lattice polymer structure creating a "soft body" that provides cushioning on all surfaces. All joints are fully covered from external access, making NEO completely pinch-proof - a critical safety feature for homes with children or pets. The exterior is wrapped in a machine-washable knitted nylon suit available in three colors (Tan, Gray, Dark Brown) that allows NEO to blend into home environments.
Despite its gentle appearance, NEO is surprisingly powerful. At just 29.94 kg, it can lift up to 69.8 kg (more than 2.3x its own weight) and carry 24.95 kg while mobile. It can walk at 1.4 m/s and sprint up to 6.2 m/s when needed.
Tendon-Driven Actuation
NEO uses 1X's proprietary "Tendon Drive" system, which mimics biological muscle-tendon structures using flexible polymer tendons and what 1X claims are "the highest torque-density motors on earth." This system provides 95% backdrivability, enabling compliant, safe movements while maintaining high power output. The robot operates at just 22 dB - quieter than a modern refrigerator.
Human-Level Dexterity
NEO's hands are engineering marvels, with 22 degrees of freedom each (75 DOF total body). This enables near-human dexterity for tasks like folding laundry, picking up small objects, using tools, and loading dishwashers. The hands are rated IP68 (fully submersible), while the body is IP44 (splash-proof), allowing NEO to safely handle wet tasks.
AI and Autonomy
NEO runs on the "1X NEO Cortex" - a custom compute module based on NVIDIA Jetson Thor with up to 2070 FP4 TFLOPS of AI compute. This powers:
- Redwood AI: 1X's proprietary vision-language-action model that processes what NEO sees and decides how to act
- Built-in LLM: For natural conversation, understanding complex instructions, and reasoning
- Vision-Only Navigation: Dual 8.85MP stereo fisheye cameras at 90Hz (no LiDAR) for 3D perception and SLAM
- Audio Intelligence: 4-microphone beamforming array for spatial sound and voice recognition
- Multimodal Interaction: Understands gestures, body language, and facial expressions
Expert Mode: Human-in-the-Loop Learning
For tasks NEO doesn't yet know, owners can schedule "Expert Mode" sessions where a remote 1X operator controls the robot via VR to complete the task. During these sessions, NEO's AI watches and learns, eventually mastering the task for autonomous execution. This ensures tasks always get done while continuously expanding NEO's capabilities.
Practical Home Operation
NEO autonomously manages its own charging, walking to its wall-mounted dock and plugging itself in when needed. With 842 Wh battery capacity, it operates for ~4 hours and can fast-charge to full in about 24 minutes (6 minutes per hour of runtime). The robot handles multi-story homes with stair-climbing ability and can sit or kneel for low-reach tasks.
Connectivity and Updates
NEO includes WiFi, Bluetooth, and 5G cellular connectivity for reliable operation and remote teleoperation. 1X delivers regular over-the-air software updates that expand capabilities and refine existing skills through fleet learning - where insights from all NEO robots collectively improve the AI.
Availability and Pricing
- Early Access Purchase: $20,000 one-time (includes 3-year warranty, priority 2026 delivery)
- Subscription: $499/month (includes maintenance, later 2026-2027 delivery)
- Pre-order Deposit: $200 (fully refundable)
- Initial Market: United States (2026), expanding to Europe and Asia (2027)
