Exploring the Future of Humanoid Robots in Our Homes
On a recent sunny morning, I found myself standing at the front door of a striking two-story residence in Redwood City, California. Almost instantly, the door swung open to reveal a faceless robot clad in a sleek beige bodysuit that hugged its slender frame, accentuating its long limbs. This elegant humanoid greeted me with what I perceived to be a Scandinavian accent, prompting me to extend my hand for a shake. As our palms connected, it confidently remarked, “I have a firm grip.”
As I stepped inside, the home’s owner, a Norwegian engineer named Bernt Børnich, requested a bottle of water. In response, the robot smoothly turned away, navigated to the kitchen, and opened the refrigerator with a single, fluid motion of its hand.
Artificial intelligence is already transforming our lives by driving cars, composing essays, and even writing complex computer code. Now, humanoid robots—machines designed to emulate human appearance and powered by advanced A.I.—are on the brink of becoming integral parts of our households, assisting with everyday tasks. Mr. Børnich is the visionary founder and chief executive of a start-up called 1X. By the end of this year, his ambitious company aims to introduce his humanoid, known as Neo, into over 100 homes across Silicon Valley and beyond.
The founder and chief executive of 1X, Bernt Børnich, alongside Neo, the company’s latest humanoid model, represents a new wave of innovation in robotics.
Credit: David B. Torch for The New York Times
1X is just one of the many companies venturing into the realm of humanoid robotics, with plans to market these robots for both residential and commercial use. Since 2015, investors have poured an impressive $7.2 billion into over 50 start-ups dedicated to this field, as reported by PitchBook, a firm that specializes in tech industry research. The enthusiasm surrounding humanoid robots peaked last year, with investments soaring to a remarkable $1.6 billion. This figure does not even account for the substantial financial resources that Elon Musk and Tesla, his electric vehicle company, are funneling into their humanoid project, Optimus, which commenced development in 2021.
