NEO, the next-generation domestic robot created by tech powerhouse 1X, is reshaping the industry of household automation. NEO is scheduled to go live in late 2023. Already, it’s displayed its spectacular tricks by fetching coffee, balling up socks, and wiping tables of their wine glasses. Its journey has long been an uphill battle. For instance, in its initial unveiling it clumsily shattered a wine glass while attempting to tidy the dinner table.
NEO employs innovative technology to take the chore out of housework. To put it short, it combines virtual reality (VR) headsets with motion sensors in such an amazing explosive efficiency. These tools maximize the operators’ ability to remotely command and control NEO. This configuration allows the robot to perform tasks independently, but still have a human in the loop when necessary. This two-pronged approach seeks to bring greater efficiency and flexibility to our engagement at home.
Development and testing of NEO now happens at 1X’s headquarters. In fact, the robot already proved its value in the home of Norwegian CEO Bernt Børnich. From hoovering and tidying up to watering plants, it proactively supports these activities. It’s still limited in performing tasks like grasping cabinet handles when putting dishes and cups back in the cabinet while cleaning up.
Børnich said that the biggest challenge will be striking a balance between automation and human involvement in the home.
“We have a lot of data so a lot of the stuff in my home can get automated but periodically someone kind of steps in and helps,” – Bernt Børnich
So long as NEO is further developed, its abilities should become truly remarkable. With powerful financial backing from tech titans such as Nvidia, 1X has plenty of resources to continue innovating. The goal of the company is to gather data from actual day to day use within homes. This will improve NEO’s artificial intelligence and make for an even smarter, more responsive home assistant.
At a recent demonstration, NEO not only watered the plants, but autonomously retrieved drinks as well. Simultaneously, it attempted to wash dirty plates and mugs. The robot’s combative command execution demonstrates that it could be a worthwhile, innovative household companion. Bipasha Sen, a leading voice in the tech industry, noted on what society’s shifting hopes for technology are.
“Today people have two aspirations – a car and a house. In the future they’ll have three aspirations – a car and house and a robot,” – Bipasha Sen
The evolution of NEO mirrors what’s happening in the world of robotics and artificial intelligence. Fusing intelligent systems into the fabric of our everyday life has been portrayed as a natural and unavoidable progression. Chelsea Finn, another important leader in this emergent field, articulated the 30,000-foot goal behind these developments.
“We want to be able to breathe intelligence into any sort of physical embodiment, whether that’s a humanoid robot or even something that looks closer to an appliance,” – Chelsea Finn
NEO has been busy preparing for its official launch. Americans, it seems, are eager and interested in imagining the future of how domestic robots will integrate into everyday life. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has teased some pretty impressive ideas to come. He estimates that robots like NEO will be among one million sold over the next 10 years.
With its combination of autonomous leaving and human-operated return, NEO marks the next generation of home assistance technology. As 1X continues testing and refining NEO, the team is excited to see how effectively NEO will perform. Yet, will it meet the expanding needs of the increasingly varied households emerging across the globe?