Artificial intelligence humanoid robots will be released early next year, and for $20,000 (about RM83,000), you can be free from the hassles of household chores. However, netizens' reactions are polarized. Some are looking forward to this future technology that allows people to live more easily, but others are worried these robots may turn against humans like in science fiction movies.
According to the New York Post, a California tech company in the United States is selling a humanoid AI robot designed to make people's lives easier.
This robot, named NEO and standing 5 feet 6 inches tall (about 1.68 meters), is developed by California-based 1X Technologies, and is scheduled to be released in the US in early 2026.
Users need only pay a $499 (about RM2000) monthly subscription fee, or directly spend up to $20,000 to purchase NEO, and never have to worry about washing dishes or doing laundry again.
Users can even select the robot’s color, with light brown, gray, and dark brown among the options.
1X’s CEO and founder, Bernt Bornich, said: “Humanoid robots have long belonged to the realm of science fiction... then became an object of research, but today—with the release of NEO, humanoid robots have become a product.”
“Something you and I can reach out and touch. NEO narrows the gap between our imagination and the real world we live in, even to the point where we can truly turn to a humanoid robot for help—and actually get that help.”
Pre-orders for NEO began this week, and eager customers need to pay a $200 (about RM830) deposit.
According to the tech company, this unusually shaped robot will be able to perform functions such as opening the door for guests, fetching items, turning off the lights at night, and will continue to get upgraded capabilities with each software update.
The “household chores” function will allow users to assign tasks to NEO to complete in a home environment, and even specify when the robot must finish the tasks.
Owners of NEO can also choose to check what the humanoid robot is doing via a mobile app.
Moreover, this humanoid robot comes with a built-in facial camera to view users’ homes and help them complete unfamiliar tasks.
For any task NEO doesn’t know how to complete, users can book an expert from 1X to guide the AI robot.
1X is using audio and visual intelligence technologies, allowing NEO to recognize and respond when called, enhancing interaction—for example, identifying ingredients, suggesting recipes, and adjusting responses over time.
However, netizens are polarized about this humanoid robot.
Some netizens have said they’ve already placed orders and can’t wait to try NEO’s fully-automated mode to see how it performs!
But there are also netizens against this AI robot: “When this thing goes crazy, and wants to harm you while you sleep, what can you do?”