NEO Beta

NEO Beta, unveiled by 1X Technologies on August 30, 2024, represents a groundbreaking prototype in humanoid robotics specifically engineered for seamless integration into home environments. This bipedal robot stands 165 cm tall, weighs 30 kg (with some reports noting a target of 25 kg), and prioritizes safety through innovative bio-inspired design elements. Its soft, deformable exterior, featuring a jumpsuit with cushioned inserts simulating human muscles and no pinch points, ensures gentle interactions with humans, children, and pets. The architecture boasts 55 degrees of freedom overall, enabling fluid, natural movements reminiscent of human kinematics. Building on 1X's decade-long experience, including the wheeled EVE robot from 2017, NEO Beta introduces robust bipedal locomotion with a walking speed of 4 km/h and a maximum speed of 12 km/h, alongside a payload capacity of 20 kg for practical manipulation tasks. At the core of NEO Beta's intelligence is an advanced AI system centered on 'embodied learning.' Neural networks are trained on vast datasets from teleoperated demonstrations, predicting actions directly from raw sensor inputs. Key sensors include high-resolution cameras for visual perception, four microphones for audio processing and voice interaction, proximity sensors for obstacle avoidance, and joint-position encoders for precise motion control. The robot integrates large language models such as GPT-4o for real-time natural language processing and conversational abilities, allowing it to understand commands, respond to gestures, and engage in contextual dialogues. Teleoperation via VR apps like Meta Quest 3 facilitates data collection, with over a dozen full-time operators refining behaviors for tasks like object manipulation and navigation in unstructured home settings. This hybrid approach bridges current limitations in full autonomy, enabling rapid iteration toward generalization. Deployment history commenced with limited pilot programs in select homes later in 2024, shifting from industrial applications to consumer pilots for real-world feedback. Demonstrations highlight capabilities such as kitchen assistance—e.g., a teleoperated cooking challenge with chef Nick DiGiovanni involving seasoning, flipping, and basting steaks—showcasing dexterity with hot pans and utensils. The robot's quiet operation (comparable to a modern refrigerator) and tendon-driven actuators contribute to its non-intrusive presence. Hardware details remain partially proprietary, but the lightweight frame likely utilizes advanced composites and series elastic actuators for compliance and energy efficiency. Battery life ranges from 2-4 hours per charge, supporting typical household shifts, with efficient thermal management inferred from its compact design. NEO Beta's architecture supports scalability, with production ramping at 1X's Moss, Norway factory, targeting thousands of units by 2025. Backed by $100 million in Series B funding and expertise from SpaceX and Tesla alumni, it addresses physical intelligence challenges through continuous learning from diverse environments. While full autonomy for complex, unstructured tasks like unsupervised cooking awaits further data, NEO Beta lays the foundation for successors like NEO Gamma and the consumer-ready NEO, incorporating world models such as Redwood for enhanced perception and planning. This positions 1X at the forefront of creating abundant, safe humanoid labor for homes, potentially priced around $75,000 initially, democratizing advanced robotics.