NEO by 1X: The Humanoid Robot Stole the Spotlight at TED2025

On April 8, 2025, roboticist and founder of 1X Bernt Børnich captivated audiences at TED2025 by introducing NEO, a humanoid robot designed by 1X Technologies. The demonstration showcased NEO performing household chores such as vacuuming and watering plants, illustrating a future where routine labor could become as effortless as switching on a light. Børnich’s vision extended far beyond convenience. For him, NEO signals a turning point in human-robot relationships and the broader role of intelligent machines in our lives.

NEO is not just a piece of technology but a product of over a decade of development. It combines artificial intelligence, engineering, and human-centered design. Inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mechanical Man,” Børnich described NEO as a realization of a centuries-old dream: a humanoid companion capable of living and learning among us.

Why 1X’s Humanoid Robot Needs Your Living Room, Not a Factory, to Learn?

Traditionally, robots have been developed for and deployed in factory environments where they perform repetitive and narrowly defined tasks. This approach, according to Børnich, fundamentally limits their capacity to grow more intelligent. In factories, processes are designed to reduce variability. While this ensures product quality, it does not offer the dynamic learning environment that intelligence demands.

In contrast, the home presents a chaotic, diverse, and information-rich setting. Objects change locations and conditions constantly. A simple cup, for instance, might be clean, dirty, in use, or awaiting use - each context requiring a different response. By living in homes, robots are exposed to a constant stream of new challenges. This variety drives learning, much like large language models improved when trained on the full diversity of internet content rather than narrow datasets.

Børnich emphasized that their earlier robot performed well in industrial settings but plateaued in learning very fast. The lack of new information limited it's development. This experiment solidified their belief that true machine intelligence must be trained in human environments.

Human-Inspired Design and a New Kind of Relationship

NEO is engineered with tendon-like actuators that replicate the properties of human muscles. This makes it lightweight, quiet, and safe to operate in everyday environments. Unlike traditional robots that are stiff and potentially dangerous, NEO can move smoothly and gently, making it suitable for interaction in shared spaces.

Børnich treats NEO not only as a tool but as a companion. In his own home, NEO performs tasks such as emptying the dishwasher, watering plants, and even serving drinks during family gatherings. These interactions illustrate the emergence of a new social dynamic between humans and intelligent physical agents - one that blends utility with companionship.

The Myth of Technological Liberation: Will Robots Really Give Us More Free Time?

A major promise of automation has always been the liberation of human time. From the advent of computers to the latest wave of artificial intelligence, there have been persistent predictions that technology would lead to drastically reduced working hours. As early as 1965, experts foresaw a 20-hour workweek as the inevitable result of growing productivity.

Yet, this future has not materialized. In most developed nations, the 40-hour workweek remains standard. Research challenges the assumption that automation naturally leads to more leisure. A 2023 study by the Centre for Economic Policy Research found that higher exposure to AI in the workplace correlates with longer working hours and reduced leisure time.

Similarly, research by MIT professor Daron Acemoglu and Boston University professor Pascual Restrepo, shows that robotic automation often increases demands on human workers. In their 2023 study, they observed a 14 percent increase in work hours among employees who remained in jobs that had adopted robotic technologies. These findings suggest that while robots may handle more tasks, the nature of work itself expands or intensifies.

This phenomenon, often called the "productivity paradox," highlights the discrepancy between technological capability and actual societal outcomes. Increased productivity does not automatically translate into reduced labor. It frequently results in increased output expectations, accelerated workflows, and expanded responsibilities. Thus, without deliberate structural and cultural changes, technologies like NEO may not inherently offer more free time.

NEO’s Potential Beyond the Home

Although NEO’s current role is domestic, Børnich envisions a much broader future. He described scenarios where humanoid robots contribute to major scientific and industrial advances. These include building chip fabs, managing AI data centers, and even assembling complex infrastructure like particle accelerators. If realized, this robotic workforce could accelerate innovation and solve logistical problems on an unprecedented scale.

With millions of robots performing high-quality, repetitive experiments, science could progress at rates never before possible. Such a future raises profound questions about our evolving role in society and the ethical considerations of sharing our world with intelligent machines.

What Kind of Future Do We Want?

NEO represents more than just a technical achievement. It symbolizes a turning point in our relationship with technology. As robots move into our homes and lives, we face the opportunity - and responsibility - to guide their integration in ways that truly enhance human well-being.

Will NEO and robots like it finally deliver the leisure society that was promised decades ago? That remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that technology alone is not enough. Policy, culture, and conscious design choices will determine whether robots free us from drudgery or simply transform the nature of our labor.

Watch the full TED Talk to see NEO in action: