The world's first home robot "Neo" is on sale, capable of sweeping the floor and making coffee, but still requires remote human assistance?

Tech company 1X Technologies announced the launch of its humanoid household robot Neo, but the first batch of functions still relies on remote human “avatars” for control, raising concerns about privacy and business models. (Background: Musk: SpaceX Starship “will fly to Mars by the end of next year” carrying Tesla robot Optimus, with the earliest manned landing in 2029) (Supplementary background: Musk seeks trainers for robot Optimus: robotic soldiers will participate in battles in the future “hitting targets with 100% accuracy”) 1X Technologies' humanoid household robot Neo is officially available for sale today, with developers claiming: Neo can fold clothes, wipe tables, and serve coffee, with a single unit priced at $20,000 or a rental fee of $499 per month, starting delivery in 2026. However, it is intriguing that users must first accept remote human intervention before experiencing “fully automated” in their living rooms, marking an interesting milestone in the history of household robots. Neo is on sale, but the remote human backend shatters the illusion of full automation. According to foreign media reports, Neo stands about 168 cm tall and weighs 30 kg, with smooth joint movements. While its walking speed is not on par with humans, it can already perform routine household chores such as cleaning and moving objects. However, seemingly acting independently, Neo is actually like a walking camera. When the robot cannot determine the next step, it will immediately call a remote operator to “take over.” The operator observes the indoor environment through a headset and directs the robotic arm to complete tasks using a controller. 1X CEO Bernt Børnich candidly stated in an interview with Engadget: “Without real household data, we cannot improve the product. Purchasing Neo means agreeing to this social contract.” In other words, future users' kitchen clutter, living room lighting, and pet movement patterns will all serve as valuable fuel for training algorithms. This “learning while using” model makes Neo appear as a “semi-finished product” pre-installed in homes, but it essentially authorizes the developer to see everything in your home. Can privacy protection measures lead to trust? To alleviate concerns, 1X has listed multiple restrictions on its official website, such as: Operators can only connect when authorized by the homeowner; users can designate no-go zones; video footage can apply character blurring; microphones are preset to mute. These settings sound cautious, but experts warn that once images are uploaded to the cloud, there is a risk of leakage and abuse. Additionally, the unpredictability of remote control may also inadvertently lead Neo into corners that should not be filmed. For privacy-sensitive families, merely relying on “I promise” or “it's encrypted” may not be enough to dispel worries. The tug-of-war between technological advancement and social contracts. In the past, self-driving cars also hit the roads early under the guise of “data collection for road testing”, and now the same path is replicated in living rooms. Whether Neo can find a balance between learning speed and privacy boundaries will determine whether it becomes a norm in smart homes or remains a brief topic at tech exhibitions. For consumers, while we expect the robot to serve the first cup of coffee in the morning, we must also ask ourselves: can we accept the same pair of mechanical eyes simultaneously transmitting life details to the other side of the Earth? This debate about trust, convenience, and regulation is just beginning. Related reports: Is it surprising? Musk spends $1 billion to buy Tesla stock, just one of the scripts for 2025. Is Tesla merging with xAI? Founder of Bridgewater Capital: it feels inevitable. “The world’s first household robot ‘Neo’ goes on sale, can sweep the floor and make coffee, but still needs remote human assistance?” This article was first published in BlockTempo, the most influential blockchain news media.