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1X NEO

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1X NEO

1X Technologies · Humanoid RobotsIIAssisted
ActivityLiveLast entry Aug 26, 2026Robot profile
Changes recorded6Since Feb 2025
Latest changeAug 262026Sideways
ClassificationStableNo change to its level or readiness since Feb 2025
Sources cited8linksAcross 7 domains

Every change to 1X NEO, month by month

Each square is one change, in the month it happened and the row for its direction, from Feb 2025 to today. Choose a square to read it, or a direction to show only those changes.

Apr 2025JulOctJan 2026AprJulFeb 21, 2025 · Step forward · NEO Gamma iteration advances soft-body design and locomotionJul 19, 2026 · Step forward · 1X unveils 25-degree-of-freedom tendon-driven hand for NEO humanoidAug 12, 2026 · Step forward · 1X begins full-scale production of NEO humanoid at Hayward factoryOct 28, 2025 · Sideways · 1X NEO launches consumer subscription model at $20K starting priceAug 26, 2026 · Sideways · SoftBank reportedly in talks for a majority stake in 1X at $6BNov 10, 2025 · Setback · Teleoperation-disclosure debate surfaces over NEO home operationToday

2026

3 changes

  • 2 steps forward
  • 1 sideways
Sideways

SoftBank reportedly in talks for a majority stake in 1X at $6B

One report said 26 Aug 2026 that SoftBank is in talks to acquire a majority stake in 1X Technologies, maker of the NEO home humanoid, at approximately a $6 billion valuation.

News · Commercialhumanoidsdaily.com
Full assessment2 claims · 3 technical notes · 2 sources
NewsCommercialSideways

Where it stands
1X NEO
Autonomy Ladder
Level IIAssisted Autonomy
Human Readiness
Not rated
Pre-Consumer Assessment
63Plausible
What happened

SoftBank declined to comment, 1X did not immediately respond, and another outlet stated it could not independently confirm the report. The reported valuation is well below the $10 billion 1X sought in a funding round less than a year earlier that raised less than half its target.

WatchingFor an official confirmation or denial from either company.

Bottom line

A single primary report describes talks in progress at a lower valuation than 1X previously sought; no company confirmation has been documented.

Impact

On autonomy

  • No autonomy or navigation change reported
  • The story concerns ownership and financing, not the NEO's onboard capability

On readiness

  • No change to NEO pricing, availability, or support reported
  • A reported deal would follow SoftBank's earlier $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB's robotics business
Claim check

2 maker claims checked against the record. Open one to read the finding.

Coverage frames the reported deal as validating 1X's humanoid strategy
Documented findingThe reported $6 billion valuation is well below the $10 billion 1X sought less than a year earlier in a round that raised under half its target, per press reports
Multiple outlets repeated the deal as established fact
Documented findingPress coverage stated the report could not be independently confirmed, and both SoftBank and 1X declined or did not respond to comment requests; this is reported as ongoing talks, not a signed agreement
Evidence

2 sources · all linked

  1. 1The Information26 Aug 2026
  2. 2Tech Startups27 Aug 2026
Technical notes
3 sections

The Report

A report on 26 Aug 2026 said SoftBank Group is negotiating to acquire a majority stake in 1X Technologies, the Norway-founded maker of the NEO home humanoid, in a deal that would value the company at approximately $6 billion. The outlet described talks as ongoing with terms that could still change.

Confirmation Status

Press coverage syndicating the report stated it could not independently confirm the details. SoftBank declined to comment; 1X did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Context

1X sought to raise $1 billion at a $10 billion valuation less than a year earlier and raised less than half that target. OpenAI, an existing SoftBank investee and 1X investor since 2023, had separately discussed acquiring 1X in the prior year without reaching a deal. A SoftBank-1X transaction would follow SoftBank’s prior agreement to acquire ABB’s robotics business for $5.4 billion.

Step forward

1X begins full-scale production of NEO humanoid at Hayward factory

1X Technologies began full-scale production of its NEO home humanoid at a 58,000-square-foot Hayward, California facility employing over 200 people, which has already produced 17,000 of the company's own Revo2 actuator motors in-house.

Announcement · Commercialforbes.com
Full assessment2 claims · 4 technical notes · 1 source
AnnouncementCommercialStep forward

Where it stands
1X NEO
Autonomy Ladder
Level IIAssisted Autonomy
Human Readiness
Not rated
Pre-Consumer Assessment
63Plausible
What happened

The company holds 10,000 pre-orders taken in a five-day window in October 2025 and still targets shipping the first units before the end of 2026.

WatchingFor confirmed shipping dates and unit counts as the year closes, since the CEO's timeline commitment is not yet independently verified.

Bottom line

A real, documented manufacturing milestone toward a home humanoid that has not yet shipped to a single customer, with the hardest part, hitting the year-end delivery date, still ahead.

Impact

On autonomy

  • This milestone concerns manufacturing scale, not a documented autonomy or software capability change.
  • NEO's classification remains unchanged by this production update.

On readiness

  • 10,000 pre-ordered units move from a manufacturing plan toward an active production line.
  • A second facility in San Carlos is reported to be coming online later in 2026 to expand capacity.
  • No confirmed customer deliveries have occurred yet; the shipping timeline remains a company commitment, not a completed milestone.
Claim check

2 maker claims checked against the record. Open one to read the finding.

1X frames full-scale production as the step that gets NEO into customer homes this year
Documented findingCoverage confirms the factory is operating and has produced motors and units at scale, but no customer deliveries are documented yet and the end-of-2026 shipping date remains a CEO commitment
Coverage describes an ambitious scale target of 100,000 units a year
Documented findingThat figure is reported as a goal for the end of 2027, not a current production rate; the documented current output is 17,000 motors, not 17,000 finished robots
Evidence

1 source · all linked

  1. 1Forbes30 Apr 2026
Technical notes
4 sections

Facility

1X’s Hayward, California factory covers approximately 58,000 square feet and employs more than 200 people. The company reports the facility has already produced 17,000 of its own Revo2 actuator motors, which drive NEO’s tendon-controlled joints, since opening.

Hardware

NEO stands approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs approximately 66 pounds. The company has stated it manufactures many core components, including the Revo2 motors, in-house rather than sourcing them from external suppliers.

Scale and Timeline

1X reports a second facility in San Carlos, California is expected to come online later in 2026 to add capacity. The company’s stated longer-term goal is 100,000 units annually by the end of 2027. 10,000 pre-orders were taken in a five-day window starting in October 2025, and the company’s public commitment is to begin shipping before the end of 2026.

What Is Not Yet Documented

No source reviewed confirms an actual customer delivery has occurred, a current finished-robot production rate, or independent verification of the Hayward facility’s output figures beyond the company’s own reporting.

Step forward

1X unveils 25-degree-of-freedom tendon-driven hand for NEO humanoid

1X unveiled a new tendon-driven hand for its NEO humanoid, with 25 degrees of freedom and 22 fully actuated joints built for near-human dexterity, strength, and tactile sensing.

Announcement · Hardwareroboticsandautomationnews.com
Full assessment4 claims · 3 technical notes · 1 source
AnnouncementHardwareStep forward

Where it stands
1X NEO
Autonomy Ladder
Level IIAssisted Autonomy
Human Readiness
Not rated
Pre-Consumer Assessment
63Plausible
What happened

The hardware is positioned to enable more advanced AI-driven manipulation, though 1X has not published independent verification of grip strength or task success.

WatchingFor third-party demonstrations of the hand performing real household tasks.

Bottom line

The hand is a documented hardware spec upgrade; manipulation performance claims remain unverified pending independent demonstration.

Impact

On autonomy

  • New hand adds 25 degrees of freedom, up from NEO's prior gripper design.
  • 22 fully actuated joints enable finer finger-level control for manipulation tasks.
  • Tactile sensing is intended to support more precise AI-driven object handling.
  • Hardware upgrade alone does not change NEO's teleoperation-capped Level II classification.

On readiness

  • No commercial shipment date has been announced for the new hand hardware.
  • Consumer availability for NEO remains subscription-based pilot deployment, not retail purchase.
  • Whether the hand ships to existing subscribers or only future units is unclear.
Claim check

4 maker claims checked against the record. Open one to read the finding.

25 degrees of freedom deliver near-human dexterity
Documented findingManufacturer specification claim; independent dexterity testing has not been published
22 fully actuated joints
Documented findingConfirmed as a mechanical design spec in the announcement; real-world grip strength and durability data are not available
Enables more advanced AI-driven manipulation
Documented findingManipulation capability claim tied to future software integration; no task-completion demonstration accompanied the hardware reveal
Near-human strength and tactile sensing
Documented findingTactile sensing hardware is described but sensitivity thresholds and force output are not specified in the announcement
Evidence

1 source · all linked

  1. 1Robotics & Automation News17 Jul 2026
Technical notes
3 sections

Hand Design

1X Technologies unveiled a new tendon-driven robotic hand for the NEO humanoid platform on 2026-07-17, per a trade publication. The hand is built with 25 degrees of freedom (DOF), including 22 fully actuated joints, a substantial increase in articulation compared to earlier gripper-style end effectors used on humanoid platforms in this class.

Stated Capabilities

Manufacturer materials describe the hand as targeting near-human dexterity, strength, and tactile sensing, intended to support more advanced AI-driven manipulation tasks. The reporting does not specify grip force in newtons, finger travel range, or actuator type beyond the tendon-driven mechanism.

What Is Not Yet Documented

No independent teardown, grip-strength test, or task-completion demonstration accompanied the announcement. It is unclear whether the hand is shipping on current NEO units, reserved for future hardware revisions, or dependent on a paired software update to unlock the additional actuation. NEO’s existing classification reflects camera-based navigation with operator telecontrol; this hardware announcement does not itself change that teleoperation dependency.

2025

3 changes

  • 1 step forward
  • 1 sideways
  • 1 setback
Setback

Teleoperation-disclosure debate surfaces over NEO home operation

Reporting by a major news outlet and technology media highlighted that NEO's continuous video feed and remote-operator access were not clearly communicated to all household members during early deployments, raising questions about informed consent.

Shown large: a setback changes what an owner should expect.

What moved

Data posture
News · Safetycnet.com
Full assessment5 claims · 4 technical notes · 2 sources
NewsSafetySetback

Where it stands
1X NEO
Autonomy Ladder
Level IIAssisted Autonomy
Human Readiness
Not rated
Pre-Consumer Assessment↓ moved by this entry
63Plausible
What happened

1X documented the data practices in subscription agreements, but coverage surfaced that operators have persistent real-time visibility into residential spaces.

WatchingWhether 1X updates disclosure requirements or introduces operator-access controls in response.

Bottom line

The teleop model is not concealed, but the coverage revealed a gap between contractual disclosure and practical informed consent at the household level.

Impact

On autonomy

  • Teleop-dependent model confirmed as the source of the privacy concern
  • No change to Level II classification; operator dependency is the design basis
  • Remote operator access scope more precisely documented in post-coverage materials
  • Continuous video architecture unchanged by coverage; structural fix would require hardware revision

On readiness

  • Informed-consent gap identified as a barrier for privacy-sensitive households
  • Subscription agreement clarity under scrutiny; prospective buyers advised to review data terms
  • Operator access controls not yet announced as a product feature at coverage date
  • Privacy concerns reduce addressable market for residential deployment among cautious adopters
Claim check

5 maker claims checked against the record. Open one to read the finding.

NEO operates safely and professionally in your home
Documented findingThird-party coverage documents that operator real-time video access was not explicitly highlighted in consumer-facing materials; data practices appear in subscription agreement language, not product overviews
Operator model provides professional support and oversight
Documented findingThe same live video capability enabling professional task support also enables persistent recording of household activity; operator access scope and session logging policies were not clearly itemized pre-coverage
Privacy is addressed through contractual protections
Documented findingSubscription agreement terms cover encryption and retention, but technology and news reporting notes these are not actively surfaced during onboarding; informed household consent is contractual, not confirmed in practice
Soft-body design makes NEO the safest humanoid for shared spaces
Documented findingPhysical safety is well-documented; data and surveillance safety are a separate dimension that the soft-body framing does not address
Suitable for family homes
Documented findingContinuous recording of common areas and operator visibility into household activity is documented; appropriateness for families depends on consent from all household members, not only the contracting subscriber
Evidence

2 sources · 1 linked

  1. 1The New York Times7 Nov 2025named, not linked
  2. 2CNET12 Nov 2025
Technical notes
4 sections

Operator Video Access Architecture

NEO’s teleoperator model routes live camera and depth sensor streams to 1X-managed infrastructure for operator use during task execution. Encryption is specified in subscription agreements. Operator session scope, logging retention, and access termination conditions are documented in contract terms rather than surfaced in onboarding UI.

Coverage Trigger

A technology podcast episode from November 7, 2025 documented a NEO household deployment in detail, including the operator’s real-time visibility into residential spaces. Another outlet followed with a written examination of the consent and disclosure question. A third outlet described NEO as “a potential privacy nightmare” in coverage tied to the same disclosure gap.

Company Response

1X did not alter the hardware or software architecture in direct response to the coverage. Subscription agreement language remains the primary documentation of data practices. No product-level operator-access controls or active consent prompts were announced at the time of the coverage cycle.

Classification Impact

Privacy score reflects the gap between documented contractual protections and practical disclosure gaps identified in third-party reporting. The teleoperator architecture that drives the consent concern is also the architectural basis for Level II classification; no autonomy reclassification results from this coverage.

Sideways

1X NEO launches consumer subscription model at $20K starting price

1X announced a consumer subscription and lease model for the NEO humanoid robot starting at $20,000, shifting distribution strategy rather than capability.

Announcement · Commercial1x.tech
Full assessment3 claims · 3 technical notes · 2 sources
AnnouncementCommercialSideways

Where it stands
1X NEO
Autonomy Ladder
Level IIAssisted Autonomy
Human Readiness
Not rated
Pre-Consumer Assessment
63Plausible
Bottom line

Commercial expansion through subscription financing is a business model shift, not a capability advancement.

Impact

On autonomy

  • No autonomy capability changes documented
  • Subscription model does not affect Level II classification

On readiness

  • Commercial accessibility improved through lease option
  • Consumer readiness unchanged pending real-world availability
Claim check

3 maker claims checked against the record. Open one to read the finding.

First consumer humanoid
Documented findingTesla Optimus Gen 3, Boston Dynamics Atlas, and others already in early consumer/research access programs. NEO differs in subscription financing model, not availability tier.
Accessible household robot at $20K
Documented finding$20K starting price applies with subscription model; total cost of ownership includes ongoing service fees. Lease option addresses upfront cost barrier but implies depreciation/maintenance risk transfer to 1X.
Soft-body design for home safety
Documented findingNo new safety testing or certification announced. Design choice does not change autonomy rating without demonstrated improvement in collision response or failure modes.
Evidence

2 sources · all linked

  1. 11X Official Website27 Oct 2025
  2. 21X NEO Product Page27 Oct 2025
Technical notes
3 sections

Commercial Model Changes

1X announced consumer subscription and lease options for the NEO soft-bodied humanoid robot. The subscription model begins at approximately $20,000 with flexible payment structures. Lease options allow consumers to avoid large upfront capital expenditure.

Product Positioning

1X marketed NEO as the first humanoid available through consumer-facing subscription programs. The robot itself maintains the same soft-bodied design, 5’6″ height, and Level III conditional autonomy profile documented in earlier announcements.

Market Access

Availability remains limited to early-access programs in select geographic markets. No expansion to retail distribution or broad consumer availability announced.

Step forward

NEO Gamma iteration advances soft-body design and locomotion

1X shared video and documentation of the NEO Gamma revision, showing improved actuator response and gait stability compared to earlier Beta footage.

Demo · Hardwarefuturism.com
Full assessment4 claims · 4 technical notes · 2 sources
DemoHardwareStep forward

Where it stands
1X NEO
Autonomy Ladder
Level IIAssisted Autonomy
Human Readiness
Not rated
Pre-Consumer Assessment
63Plausible
What happened

Autonomy classification remains unchanged at Level II; the Gamma update addresses hardware maturation rather than capability expansion.

WatchingFor field deployment reports from early Gamma units to assess durability improvements.

Bottom line

Gamma is a credible hardware maturation step. The underlying operator-subscription model and Level II classification are unchanged; the update narrows the gap between prototype and deployable product without closing it.

Impact

On autonomy

  • Gait stability improvements documented in manufacturer video comparisons
  • Actuator response time described as reduced versus Beta configuration
  • Teleoperator control model unchanged; Level II classification unaffected
  • No new autonomous task modes demonstrated in Gamma materials

On readiness

  • Hardware maturation reduces pre-commercial feel of earlier Beta units
  • Gamma iteration positions NEO closer to subscription pilot eligibility
  • No change to operator training requirements or deployment prerequisites
  • Subscription-first model continues; direct retail timeline not updated
Claim check

4 maker claims checked against the record. Open one to read the finding.

Gamma represents a significant step toward household-ready performance
Documented findingManufacturer video shows improved gait smoothness and actuator speed; task range and operator dependency are unchanged from Beta documentation
Soft-body design now mature for deployment environments
Documented findingGamma iteration addresses mechanical refinement; long-term durability data from field units is not yet available at this stage
Natural, lifelike movement" in promotional materials
Documented findingVideo footage shows reduced jitter in bipedal walking; manipulation precision and real-world task variability remain constrained by soft-actuator force limits
Ready for broader pilot rollout
Documented findingManufacturer materials indicate Gamma is targeted at limited commercial pilots; individual consumer availability timeline remains unannounced
Evidence

2 sources · 1 linked

  1. 11X Technologies Blog12 Feb 2025
  2. 2IEEE Spectrum18 Feb 2025named, not linked
Technical notes

4 sections

Actuator Refinement

NEO Gamma revises the soft-actuator assembly compared to Beta, with manufacturer materials indicating faster response and reduced mechanical latency in limb movement. Specific actuator specifications are not published; changes are characterized qualitatively in demonstration video and accompanying documentation.

Locomotion Updates

Bipedal gait shows reduced oscillation and more consistent stride cadence in Gamma footage compared to Beta comparison clips released by 1X. Stair navigation and doorway traversal are demonstrated in manufacturer video; performance envelope for household obstacle categories is not formally specified.

Form Factor

Gamma maintains the approximate dimensions of Beta: approximately 68 inches tall, 66 lbs. Soft-body compliance design retained. No structural changes to sensor placement or connectivity reported alongside the Gamma iteration materials.

Operator Architecture

Teleoperator control model carried over from Beta without modification in Gamma release materials. Scripted locomotion handles routine paths; operator engagement required for task-level execution. No firmware version number published alongside Gamma hardware materials.

Tracking began here, on February 21, 2025. Six changes logged in all.

How a change gets its direction

  • Major advance

    A significant step that changes what the robot can do on its own, or whether a buyer can rely on it.

  • Step forward

    A small improvement that refines what the robot already does, without changing its assessment.

  • Sideways

    Neither better nor worse for an owner: a price move, a newer model named, a review that confirms what we knew.

  • Setback

    A change that makes performance, reliability or ownership worse: a regression, a removed feature, a newly found flaw.

Every recent change, on the Tracker

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The record

1X NEO

Level II, Assisted Autonomy · Pre-release

Covered in Market Outlook, Q3 2026

Humanoid makers raised billions as shares fell

Unitree and UBTech completed public listings or reported strong sales this quarter while their shares slid.