Norwegian robotics company 1X is preparing to test its latest home robot prototype, Neo Gamma, in real-world settings. Unlike industrial robots, which wear rigid, metallic designs, this home robot wears a snug knitted nylon bodysuit, giving it a more human-like presence as it moves around performing household chores.

Neo Gamma is a glimpse into a future where home robots are part of everyday life.

1X describes Neo Gamma as a humanoid assistant engineered to support users in their daily lives. It is designed to handle basic household tasks, such as tidying up, setting the table, and even communicating with its user.

The robot is trained on human motion capture data, allowing it to move with a natural gait, squat, and sit in chairs. Its multi-jointed hands use elastic motors that mimic human tendons, enabling delicate manipulations like picking up objects and folding laundry.

A promotional video released on 21 February 2025 by 1X shows the robot serving tea, wiping windows, carrying laundry, and carefully navigating around household furniture.

While competitors like Agility Robotics and Figure deploy humanoids in industrial environments, 1X tests Neo Gamma in actual homes, a setting that presents unique challenges in safety, adaptability, and real-world interaction.

One of Neo Gamma’s key demographic targets is the aging population. With global life expectancy rising, there is an increasing demand for robotic assistants that can help older adults maintain independence at home.

While OpenAI has made the robots more human-like, their full commercial deployment is likely some years away.

With early backing from OpenAI, the company has been refining Neo Gamma's ability to interact naturally with people. It can now respond to speech and use body language to communicate more effectively.

Unlike industrial robots that operate in controlled environments, household humanoids like Neo Gamma must navigate unpredictable surroundings. This requires a robot that can see, think, and move in real time, adjusting to changes as they happen.

While household humanoids have long been a staple of science fiction, real-world implementation has been limited. Outside of robotic vacuum cleaners, no home robot has achieved widespread adoption.

Companies like 1X are betting that improvements in AI, material design, and affordability will change this landscape.

Presently, the company emphasizes that the robot is still in the testing phase, with full commercial deployment likely years away. However, it does represent a major step in domestic robotics.

As testing progresses, it will be fascinating to see how these humanoids evolve and whether they become as common in homes as smart assistants and automated vacuum cleaners.