1X to test humanoid robot in Norwegian homes by 2025

Norwegian robotics startup 1X is planning to test its humanoid robot, Neo Gamma, in several homes by the end of 2025. CEO Bernt Børnich announced the intention to have “a few hundred to a few thousand” early adopters help develop the robot this year. He emphasized that Neo Gamma needs real-life experiences to learn how to behave in a home environment. The excitement around humanoid robots is increasing. Competitors like Figure, based in the Bay Area, also plan to start home tests in 2025. Figure has made headlines recently, including reports of a significant fundraising effort at a high valuation. Additionally, OpenAI, which has invested in 1X, is exploring its own humanoid robots. Børnich noted that Neo Gamma is not yet ready for full autonomy. While the robot uses AI to walk and balance, it cannot operate completely on its own. To address this, the company will use teleoperators. These are remote humans who can control Neo Gamma's movements by viewing its cameras and sensors in real time. The tests will gather valuable data to improve the robot's performance. There are also privacy concerns regarding data collection from customers’ homes. 1X spokesperson said users can control when their surroundings can be viewed by company employees. Neo Gamma was introduced earlier this year and is the first bipedal robot from 1X set to leave the lab. It features a better AI model and a design that aims to reduce injuries during human interaction. During a demonstration, Neo Gamma performed basic tasks, but it was not without issues. At one point, the robot malfunctioned and fell into Børnich's arms. The company attributed the problem to poor Wi-Fi and low battery. While details about the early adopter program are still unclear, it's apparent that we are far from having fully autonomous humanoid robots available for everyday purchase.