The humanoid robot Neo invested by OpenAI is about to be released

As of September 2, 2024, 1X Technologies, a Norwegian robotics startup in which OpenAI has participated in investing, recently released the bipedal humanoid robot prototype NEO Beta. This consumer-grade robot designed specifically for home environments has demonstrated strong housework handling capabilities in videos, being able to tidy up tableware, deliver items, make coffee, and more.

NEO is 1.65 meters tall, weighs 29.9 kilograms, has a walking speed of 4.02 kilometers per hour, can bear a weight of 20 kilograms, and has a battery life of 2 to 4 hours. Its size and shape are similar to that of an ***. Its CEO and founder, Bernt Børnich, emphasizes that safety is the top priority. NEO uses flexible drive technology similar to human tendons, and its joints are controlled by series elastic actuators, enhancing flexibility and safety.

1X believes that humanoid robots are designed because of the high flexibility of humans and non-verbal communication methods, which can enable robots to perform complex tasks and interact naturally. In addition to mechanical innovation, embodied technology will also be used to solve intelligence problems, and data diversity is the key. 1X is researching the support of NEO for people with limited mobility and its applications in the research field.

This year, 1X will deploy a small number of NEOs in selected households for research and development and has developed a no-code interface to allow non-professionals to participate in the development of AI systems. It is reported that NEO is planned to be released as soon as this year, and the price is striving to be controlled at the level of an economy car. Bernt Børnich expects that by 2027, robots will be intelligent enough and widely used. The 1X company was founded in 2014. In 2022, it cooperated with OpenAI to promote the development of embodied learning. In March last year, it completed Series A2 financing, led by the OpenAI Startup Fund. In January this year, it completed Series B financing and raised 100 million US dollars.