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Norwegian startup 1X, backed by OpenAI, announced at Nvidia's GTC 2025 its plans to conduct early, real-world home tests of its humanoid robot, Neo Gamma. This initiative marks a significant step towards developing commonplace domestic humanoid assistants, with the tests designed to gather crucial data for refining Neo Gamma's capabilities.
1X, backed by the AI powerhouse OpenAI, intends to region "a few hundred to a few thousand" Neo Gamma units in homes by the end of the year. CEO Bernt Børnich emphasized the importance of this hands-on approach, stating, "Neo Gamma is going into homes this year. We want to invite early adopters this year to help us develop this system. We want it to live and learn among people, and to do that, we need people to take Neo into their home and help us teach it how to behave." This initiative marks a crucial step in moving beyond controlled lab settings and into the complexities of everyday life.
While Neo Gamma boasts AI-driven abilities for fundamental tasks like walking and balancing, it currently relies on human teleoperators for more intricate movements. These remote operators can monitor the humanoid robot sensors and cameras, taking control of its limbs as needed. This "bootstrapping" technique allows 1X to acquire vital information on how the robot plays in diverse domestic environments, paving the way for future autonomous capability.
The in-home trials are designed to gather a wealth of records, which will be used to refine 1X's in-house AI models. While the company collaborates with partners like OpenAI and Nvidia, Børnich stressed their focus on internal AI development. Recognizing the inherent privacy concerns associated with in-home data collection, 1X has assured users that they will have control over when human operators can access Neo Gamma's visual and auditory feeds.
1X's statement comes amid a surge of interest in humanoid robots. Competitors like Figure AI also are making plans for domestic trials, and even OpenAI is rumored to be exploring its very own humanoid improvement. The capability of these robots to revolutionize home duties has ignited a wave of exhilaration, but also a recognition of the full-size demanding challenges ahead.
Deploying robots in uncontrolled domestic environments gives a unique set of challenges comparable to those of autonomous vehicle developers. Børnich acknowledges that Neo Gamma is far from being commercially scalable or fully autonomous. The reliance on teleoperation highlights the nascent degree of this generation. However, the data gathered from those early trials may be valuable in overcoming these limitations and pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
1X's bold move to place Neo Gamma in homes signifies a pivotal moment in the development of domestic robotics. While full autonomy remains a future goal, the company's approach of combining AI with human oversight provides a practical pathway to gathering essential real-world data. As technology evolves, and the industry continues to innovate, the prospect of humanoid robots seamlessly integrating into our daily lives grows ever closer.
