The Problem with this Humanoid Robot

MKBHD argues the Neo humanoid robot ($20K or $500/mo) is being sold as autonomous AI while nearly all demos are remotely operated by humans wearing VR headsets.

• 1X’s Neo robot ($20K outright or $500/mo subscription) is available to pre-order now but ships an unknown date next year.
• Joanna Stern’s WSJ demo revealed 100% of showcased tasks were remotely tele-operated by a human in another room with VR controllers.
• The entire 10-minute keynote video contains only two labeled autonomous actions: opening a door and retrieving a cup.
• 1X’s ‘expert mode’ lets company employees remotely view your home through the robot’s sensors to perform tasks and collect training data.
• The early-adopter model mirrors Tesla FSD: paying customers generate training data that teaches the system for future mass-market use.
• People who would benefit most from a capable home robot—elderly, disabled—are least likely to tolerate years of beta testing.
• 1X reached out to MKBHD 10 months prior offering a sponsored video from a Gmail address; he declined, doubting it was real.

2025-10-30 · Watch on YouTube