1X NEO humanoid Robot Begins Elderly Care Home Pilot Program

Norwegian-American robotics startup 1X Technologies has launched a groundbreaking pilot program deploying its NEO humanoid robot at assisted-living facilities in Norway and California, marking one of the first real-world tests of humanoid robots in elderly care settings. The pilot, conducted in partnership with two major senior care providers, aims to evaluate NEO's effectiveness in supporting daily living activities for elderly residents.

NEO is a lightweight, soft-touch humanoid robot designed specifically for human interaction. Unlike industrial humanoid robots with rigid metal exteriors, NEO features a fabric-covered body with soft, compliant joints that make it inherently safe for close contact with humans. The robot stands at 1.65 meters and weighs only 30 kilograms, making it one of the lightest full-size humanoid robots ever built.

During the pilot, NEO performs a range of tasks including medication reminders, fetching items, light housekeeping such as tidying surfaces and organizing belongings, and providing companionship through conversation and simple games. The robot operates in a hybrid mode — autonomous for routine tasks, with remote human teleoperation available for complex or unexpected situations requiring human judgment.

Early feedback from residents and staff has been encouraging. Caregivers report that NEO has reduced their workload for simple repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus more on direct patient care and emotional support. Residents, particularly those with mild cognitive impairment, have responded positively to NEO's gentle demeanor and consistent presence.

1X Technologies, backed by OpenAI and Tiger Global, plans to expand the pilot to 20 facilities by the end of 2025, with a commercial version of NEO targeted for release in 2026. The company is also exploring applications in retail, hospitality, and light industrial settings.

The future of elderly care is not about replacing humans, but about giving caregivers superpowers. NEO is designed to handle the mundane so that humans can focus on what truly matters — human connection.

— Bernt Bornich, CEO of 1X Technologies