Research verdict
The most home-focused humanoid in this group, but still an early-access commitment rather than a proven appliance.
NEO is one of the clearest attempts to sell a humanoid as an integrated home service rather than as a research kit. 1X combines a 5-foot-6-inch body, articulated hands, voice and vision, a four-hour listed runtime, automatic charging, an AI task system, and optional scheduled remote guidance. The early product proposition depends as much on software and service operations as it does on the robot hardware.
NEO makes the most sense for an early adopter who specifically wants a household-oriented humanoid and accepts that capabilities will develop after delivery. Its body, hands, payload, charging, and task interface are designed around home use. The tradeoff is a high ownership price or ongoing subscription, an early delivery program, and a workflow that may use a remote 1X expert for tasks the robot cannot yet complete autonomously.
Best fit
- Early adopters seeking a humanoid designed around household tasks rather than a laboratory platform
- Homes that value automatic charging, voice interaction, task scheduling, and supported remote assistance
- Buyers comfortable participating in an early product program while autonomy improves
Probably not for
- Buyers who need appliance-level reliability and a long independent track record today
- Developers seeking a public SDK, exposed low-level controls, or a conventional education platform
- Households uncomfortable with cameras, microphones, connected services, or optional human-in-the-loop assistance
Price and key facts
A normalized snapshot with evidence attached.
These fields use the same structure across every HomeRobotHQ profile. Each value is linked to its evidence, classified transparently, or marked as not published.
- Listed price
- $20,000 ownership or $499/month; $200 refundable deposit Official source · Checked Open evidence ↗
- Availability
- Pre-order; US deliveries planned to begin in 2026 Official source · Checked Open evidence ↗
- Cloud dependence
- Local robot plus connected AI, app, and optional Expert Mode HomeRobotHQ classification · Checked Open evidence ↗
- Developer access
- Managed consumer platform; no public developer SDK documented HomeRobotHQ classification · Checked Open evidence ↗
- Subscription
- $499/month Standard option; ownership option also available Official source · Checked Open evidence ↗
Additional documented facts
Price, delivery timing, taxes, shipping, and regional availability can change. Verify the current official listing or status source before making a purchase decision. View the reviewed price history →
Capabilities and limits
What is NEO designed to do in the home?
1X documents household task scheduling, voice and visual interaction, object handling, self-charging, mobile control, and an Expert Mode that can provide scheduled human guidance for supported tasks.
Structured capability evidence
“Supported” means the maker documents the capability. Each entry identifies its source, configuration limits, and evidence type.
Biped mobility
SupportedNEO is documented as a full-size biped designed to move through the home.
Autonomous navigation
Limited1X describes basic autonomy for early owners, with capability intended to improve over time.
Self-charging
SupportedThe product page says NEO can return to its charger and plug itself in.
Object carrying
Supported1X lists a 55 lb carrying capacity and an 18 lb arm payload.
Object manipulation
LimitedArticulated hands and household object handling are shown, but performance varies by task and object.
Household tasks
LimitedTask scheduling is part of the product; complex early tasks may use scheduled Expert Mode.
Remote operation
SupportedThe app supports remote control, and Expert Mode can add scheduled human guidance.
Developer control
Not documented1X does not currently publish a general developer SDK for NEO.
Evidence snapshot checked . “Not documented” means we did not find a reliable claim in the reviewed sources; it is not proof that the capability is impossible.
- 01Schedule household chores and manage requests through voice and the 1X mobile interface
- 02Use stereo vision, microphones, articulated arms, and dexterous hands to perceive and manipulate household objects
- 03Return to its dock and recharge without requiring a person to swap the battery
- 04Use Redwood AI for learned behavior and improve task performance through software updates
- 05Accept a scheduled Expert Mode session in which an approved 1X operator remotely guides a supported task
Important limitations
- NEO is in preorder and the current page describes a 2026 US delivery start, so availability and capability maturity may change before an individual order ships.
- 1X says initial autonomy is foundational and develops over time; the launch materials do not support treating every demonstrated household task as fully autonomous on day one.
- Expert Mode may involve a remote human operator. The owner schedules or accepts the session and the robot provides a visible indicator when the mode is active.
- 1X says NEO is not initially intended for cooking. The body is rated IP44 and should not be treated as a waterproof appliance.
Software and setup
Redwood AI and the 1X app make NEO a managed household system, not an open robotics kit.
1X NEO Cortex runs on an NVIDIA Jetson Thor platform and combines Redwood AI, speech, vision, navigation, and task execution.
The 1X app is the control surface for task scheduling, monitoring, preferences, remote control, and Expert Mode requests.
The value of the product depends on continued software, model, and service updates, so buyers should review the current feature set again before delivery.
Choose the subscription or ownership path and confirm deposit, delivery region, cancellation, and refund terms before ordering.
Plan an accessible dock location with firm indoor flooring and enough clearance for a full-size biped.
Configure household members, rooms, permissions, network access, privacy choices, and any Expert Mode workflow before enabling routine tasks.
Start with low-risk tasks and controlled spaces while learning the robot's stopping, supervision, and recovery behavior.
Projects worth exploring
- Create a repeatable household task list and measure which steps are autonomous, assisted, or still manual
- Map charging behavior and runtime across a normal day
- Build a household privacy and Expert Mode approval checklist
- Track capability changes from delivery through subsequent Redwood AI releases
Privacy and connectivity
The camera, microphones, connected services, and optional remote expert access need an explicit household privacy plan.
NEO includes stereo cameras, four microphones, network connections, an app, and optional remote human guidance. Treat it as a connected sensing device wherever it operates.
1X says owners can use NEO without contributing data for product improvement and can opt out. A limited amount of sensor data may still be sent when required to fulfill a request, subject to the current product and privacy terms.
Expert Mode must be scheduled or accepted by the owner and uses a visible ear-ring indicator. Households should still define private rooms, private times, and who may authorize a session.
Alternatives
Compare the role before the specification.
Sources and provenance
Primary sources reviewed.
Follow the sources for the specifications, software requirements, and policies discussed above. Our editorial approach explains how evidence is used.
- Official storeNEO order and specification pageOpen source ↗
1X · Checked 2026-09-02
- Official product pageNEO product overviewOpen source ↗
1X · Checked 2026-09-02
- Official product pageNEO launch announcementOpen source ↗
1X · Checked 2026-09-02
- Official update logNEO factory and delivery updateOpen source ↗
1X · Checked 2026-09-02
- Official specificationsNEO hand design updateOpen source ↗
1X · Checked 2026-09-02
- Official privacy policy1X privacy policyOpen source ↗
1X · Checked 2026-09-02
- Official documentation1X preorder termsOpen source ↗
1X · Checked 2026-09-02