1X Technologies Details Humanoid Robot NEO's Path to Domestic Life, Emphasizing Real-World Learning and Safety

Humanoids Learning in the Human World: 1X Technologies' Vision for NEO

The dream of a helpful humanoid robot in every home has long been a staple of science fiction, but Palo Alto-based 1X Technologies is working to make it a reality. In a new NVIDIA AI Podcast episode, founder and CEO Bernt Børnich provided an in-depth look at the company's philosophy and the development of their bipedal android, NEO. The core idea? Robots, much like humans, need to learn by living and interacting within our complex, everyday environments. This vision aligns with Børnich's previous discussions, including a TED Talk where NEO itself introduced the concept of labor becoming as abundant as energy.

"For robots to be truly intelligent and show nuances like being careful around your pet, holding the door open for an elderly person and generally behaving like we want robots to behave, they have to live and learn among us," Børnich stated on the podcast, emphasizing a departure from robots confined to structured factory settings. This philosophy underpins 1X's approach to building NEO, focusing on safety, affordability, and adaptability.

Safety and Design: Building a Human-Friendly Humanoid

A critical hurdle for robots operating in human spaces is safety. Børnich detailed 1X's significant investment in this area, highlighting NEO's design which is inspired by the human musculoskeletal system. The robot, weighing around 30 kilograms (66 pounds), utilizes tendon-driven mechanisms. This approach, Børnich explained, avoids high-gear-ratio motors common in industrial robots, which store significant kinetic energy and can be dangerous.

"If you look at these systems for a typical robot, it actually has about ten times the amount of energy due to the drivetrain," Børnich noted. By minimizing this internal energy, NEO aims to be "soft and compliant," capable of incidental contact without causing harm – a crucial trait for a machine intended to navigate unpredictable home environments. This design also contributes to low energy consumption. Despite its relatively light weight, NEO is said to possess strength comparable to an adult human, capable of squatting or deadlifting around 150 pounds.

Learning by Doing: A Multi-Faceted Approach to AI

NEO's intelligence isn't pre-programmed for every eventuality. Instead, 1X employs a combination of AI techniques. Børnich outlined a strategy that includes reinforcement learning (RL) for mastering basic motor skills like walking, sitting, and simple object manipulation in simulation. This is complemented by expert demonstrations via teleoperation, where humans guide the robot through tasks, providing initial data.

"Teleoperation is extremely interesting to bootstrap your way into non-zero chance of success," Børnich said, "but you're not going to be teleoperating millions of robots." The key, he explained, is to get the robot to a point where it can attempt tasks and sometimes succeed. From there, a "learning from failure" paradigm takes over. The robot can then iterate and improve based on real-world outcomes. This data flywheel is further enriched by vast datasets from the internet, helping NEO understand broader contexts.

Børnich also touched upon the significance of "world models" – AI systems that can predict the outcomes of actions. "To me, what a world model is, is to a large part the ability to predict the future," he stated. This predictive capability allows robots to validate actions and, more compellingly, to "search backwards from the goal," potentially unlocking more sophisticated problem-solving.

NEO in the Home: A 2025 Consumer Debut

1X Technologies is targeting a consumer launch for NEO in 2025. This follows earlier announcements, such as their plan to pilot humanoid robots in homes by 2025, which outlined initial testing phases for earlier prototypes like NEO Gamma. Initially, the commercially available NEO is expected to perform household chores such as vacuuming, folding laundry, tidying up, and retrieving items. Børnich shared an anecdote of NEO answering the door to receive a food delivery while he was occupied, illustrating the potential for seamless integration into daily life.

However, he was candid about the initial capabilities. "We are selling almost more a journey than a destination," Børnich admitted. Early adopters will be part of this development journey. "Not everything will work. But it will get better every day... Some will be autonomous, some will be tele-op. And sometimes it will fail. And that's something you have to be okay with." He also hinted at the possibility for end-users to fine-tune models, fostering a collaborative approach to teaching NEO how to behave in diverse societal contexts.

The Bigger Picture: Labor, Leisure, and Human Connection

Beyond specific tasks, Børnich sees humanoids like NEO as a way to free up human time from mundane labor, potentially giving people an average of 2.3 hours back per day currently spent on household chores. This, he believes, could allow individuals to focus more on interpersonal connections, creative pursuits, and activities that bring them joy – a theme he also explored in his TED Talk on how such robots could redefine what it means to be human While acknowledging the societal transitions and potential job displacement that such technology might entail, Børnich expressed optimism. "I think it is really going to enable us to reassess what makes us human and what makes us valuable," he mused, drawing a parallel to the transformative impact of electricity.

As 1X Technologies prepares for NEO's debut, the robotics community and potential consumers will be watching closely. The company's emphasis on embodied learning in real-world, human-centric environments represents a significant, if challenging, step towards the long-envisioned future of general-purpose humanoid robots.