Norwegian robotics startup 1X plans to begin early trials of its humanoid robot, Neo Gamma, in “a few hundred to a few thousand” homes by the end of 2025, according to CEO Bernt Børnich.
“Neo Gamma is going into homes this year,” Børnich told TechCrunch at Nvidia GTC 2025. “We want early adopters 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.”
The Rise of Humanoid Robots in Homes
Interest in home-friendly humanoid robots has surged in recent months. Bay Area-based competitor Figure announced in February that it would also begin home tests in 2025. Weeks later, Bloomberg reported that Figure was in talks for a $1.5 billion fundraise at a staggering $40 billion valuation. Meanwhile, OpenAI—one of 1X’s investors—is reportedly exploring its own humanoid robot projects.
But bringing heavy, AI-powered robots into households presents significant challenges. Similar to autonomous vehicle startups deploying robotaxis, things can go wrong quickly.
Børnich acknowledges that Neo Gamma is far from commercial scaling and full autonomy. While the robot uses AI for walking and balancing, it cannot yet perform entirely independent movements. Instead, 1X is relying on teleoperators—humans in remote locations who can monitor Neo Gamma’s cameras and sensors in real time and take control when needed.
Training AI Through Real-World Testing
1X’s in-home trials aim to generate valuable data on how Neo Gamma functions in a household environment. Early adopters will contribute to a growing dataset that 1X will use to train its in-house AI models and enhance the robot’s capabilities.
Despite its backing from OpenAI, Børnich emphasizes that 1X primarily develops its AI technology internally. However, the company does co-train AI models with partners like OpenAI and Nvidia.
Privacy and Ethical Concerns
Collecting data from cameras and microphones inside private homes naturally raises privacy concerns. In an email to TechCrunch, a company spokesperson assured that users could control when a 1X employee can access Neo Gamma’s surroundings for auditing or teleoperation.
Advancements in Neo Gamma’s Design
Unveiled in February, Neo Gamma is 1X’s first bipedal robot prototype to be tested outside the lab. Compared to its predecessor, Neo Beta, Neo Gamma features an improved onboard AI model and a soft, knitted nylon body suit designed to minimize injury risks from human-robot interactions.
During a live demo at GTC, 1X showcased Neo Gamma performing basic household tasks—such as vacuuming, watering plants, and navigating a living room—partially controlled by a human operator. However, the test was not flawless; at one point, the robot started shaking and collapsed into Børnich’s arms. A 1X employee cited poor Wi-Fi connectivity and low battery as the cause.
Future Plans and Availability
Details about 1X’s early adopter program remain unclear. The company has yet to disclose its go-to-market strategy for Neo Gamma, although a waitlist is available on its website. The feasibility of using Neo Gamma without teleoperation is also uncertain. A company spokesperson stated that 1X will provide more details at a later date.
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