Norwegian robotics startup 1X is preparing to initiate early testing of its humanoid robot, Neo Gamma, in several hundred to potentially a few thousand homes by the end of 2025, as announced by the company’s CEO, Bernt Børnich.
Børnich stated in an interview with TechCrunch at Nvidia GTC 2025 that Neo Gamma would be entering homes within the year. The company aims to engage early adopters to assist in developing the system, allowing the robot to live and learn among people. For this purpose, they seek volunteers willing to include Neo Gamma in their homes to help the robot learn appropriate behaviors.
Recently, interest in humanoid robots for home use has surged significantly. Figure, a competitor based in the Bay Area with a strong social media presence, declared in February its intention to begin home testing of its humanoid robots in 2025. Shortly afterward, Bloomberg reported that Figure was discussing a fundraising round targeting $1.5 billion, valued at $40 billion. Additionally, OpenAI, an investor in 1X, has reportedly been exploring the development of its own humanoid robots.
Introducing substantial robots into residential settings presents significant challenges for the emerging industry, reminiscent of autonomous vehicle startups deploying their robotaxis. The process involves considerable risks and potential setbacks.
Børnich acknowledged that Neo Gamma is not yet ready for widespread commercial deployment or full autonomy. While the robot employs AI for walking and balancing, it currently lacks complete autonomous movement capabilities. To facilitate in-home testing, 1X is relying on teleoperators—humans stationed remotely who can monitor Neo Gamma’s cameras and sensors in real-time and control its limbs accordingly.
The purpose of these in-home tests is to collect operational data on Neo Gamma’s performance in domestic settings. Early adopters will contribute to creating a valuable dataset that 1X will leverage to train internal AI models and enhance the robot’s capabilities.
Despite support from OpenAI, 1X conducts its core AI training in-house. Occasionally, the company collaborates with partners, including OpenAI and Nvidia, to co-train AI models.
Collecting data from inside homes raises potential privacy issues. A company spokesperson clarified in an email to TechCrunch that customers have control over when 1X employees can view Neo Gamma’s surroundings, whether for auditing or teleoperation purposes.
Introduced in February, Neo Gamma represents 1X’s first bipedal robot prototype intended for testing outside the lab. Compared to its predecessor, Neo Beta, Neo Gamma boasts an improved onboard AI model and a knitted nylon body suit designed to minimize potential injuries from contact with humans.
During a demonstration at GTC, 1X displayed Neo Gamma’s capacity to perform basic tasks in a simulated living room, partially controlled by a human operator. The robot managed to vacuum, water plants, and navigate the room without colliding with people or furniture. However, it was not free from errors, as it started shaking and collapsed into Børnich’s arms, an incident attributed by a 1X employee to unstable Wi-Fi in the conference hall and low battery.
Although 1X has plans for an early adopter program, specific details remain scarce. The company has not yet disclosed its market entry strategy for Neo Gamma but has a waitlist available on its website. It’s uncertain how Neo Gamma will be used in homes without teleoperation, with a spokesperson promising a more detailed explanation in the future.
While a limited number of individuals may experience an early, human-assisted version of Neo Gamma this year, the arrival of fully autonomous humanoid robots available for direct purchase remains several years away.
