Man Preorders Tesla Optimus Rival Humanoid Robot
A man preordered the Neo humanoid AI assistant, designed to help with daily chores, through a $499 monthly subscription rather than paying the $20,000 outright. The device is developed by Palo Alto-based robotics company 1X and is marketed as their flagship product.
Neo Robot Features and Purpose
Neo is intended to live alongside humans, assisting with tasks such as vacuuming, washing and drying dishes, tidying up, and other routine chores. It aims to be a practical assistant for everyday menial activities.
Buyer’s Concerns About AI Capabilities
TikTok user Ray (@TeslaXplored), who focuses on Tesla content, shared his doubts after placing a refundable $200 preorder and choosing the subscription model. He expressed skepticism about the robot’s true use of artificial intelligence.
“I ordered a humanoid robot for $20,000, and I’m already regretting it,” Ray said in his video.
He also indicated that part of his motivation for buying Neo was to compare it with Tesla’s upcoming humanoid robot, Optimus.
Comparison to Tesla Optimus
Tesla describes Optimus as a “general purpose, bi-pedal, humanoid robot capable of performing tasks that are unsafe, repetitive, or boring.” Neo is positioned as a competitor, though concerns remain about its practical AI functionality.
Summary
Neo offers a subscription-based humanoid assistant for household chores but raises questions about its artificial intelligence, prompting some buyers to hesitate.