A very serious guide to buying your own humanoid robot butler

The NEO robot from tech company 1X is marketed as a home assistant

1X

For years, science fiction has filled our imaginations with humanoid robots, from Bender in Futurama to Ava in Ex Machina. These creations were primarily confined to screens and literature, with the idea of real-life walking, talking robots seeming a distant fantasy.

However, the landscape is shifting. Last year, robots participated in activities like running and boxing at China’s World Humanoid Robot Games, even though they sometimes stumbled. Meanwhile, companies are developing humanoid robots designed for more practical tasks, such as household assistance. At the end of last year, robotics company 1X began taking preorders for its NEO robot, with deliveries anticipated this year—a significant development. With several firms now offering humanoid assistants, it is becoming possible to own a robot butler. These options are available for a few thousand pounds, less than the cost of a small used car.

This prompts the creation of what might be the world’s first guide for potential buyers and those curious about the implications. This guide will not only provide essential statistics on each model but also address four critical questions prospective robot owners should consider. It’s important to note that buyers may encounter both more and less than they expect.

What’s on offer?

The humanoid robot industry is generating significant excitement. In 2025 alone, more than 40 new models were introduced globally, with 60 percent originating from China, according to Morgan Stanley. This surge is driven by advanced artificial intelligence systems that enhance the robots’ capabilities. Investor and tech analyst Cathie Wood described humanoid robots as the greatest opportunity for AI integration. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman predicted that, in the future, “you’ll be walking down the street, and there’ll be seven robots walking past you, doing things”. Cryptocurrency investor Andrew Kang suggested that “2026 will be the year of humanoid robots”.

This guide examines five prominent and affordable models, assessing their capabilities. These robots are either available for order or soon will be. Prices are no longer akin to science fiction. Unitree’s entry-level humanoid R1 is priced just over £4000, while 1X is offering NEO at $20,000 for outright purchase or $499 monthly as a subscription. Though not inexpensive, affluent individuals might be interested in delegating household chores to a robot. Before making a purchase, consider the following questions.

Do you really want or need a humanoid robot?

Initially, most designs from leading robot manufacturers feature a body, head, two arms, and two legs. Variations are often in the range of movements their joints can achieve, known as degrees of freedom. 1X’s NEO boasts 22 degrees of freedom in each hand and 75 overall. The Figure 03 robot, an updated version of the Figure 02—already employed in a BMW factory—can organize and restock cupboards but has only 30 degrees of freedom.

The emphasis on humanoid shapes is partly practical, as homes and workplaces are designed for human use, with features like stairs and countertops. However, Jonathan Aitken from the University of Sheffield questions the necessity of humanoid designs. He notes that while visually appealing, they may not always be the most economical or reliable choice. Joanna Bryson from the Hertie School in Berlin also finds it odd that people desire humanoid robots.

If your goal is simply to keep floors clean, a programmable robot vacuum might suffice. For picking up and organizing objects, a mobile platform with a functional arm could be more practical than a bipedal android. California-based company Sunday offers a robot named Memo, which features a humanoid upper body on wheels. Select individuals can currently test it for free before its wider release.

One of the most costly components of humanoid robots is the actuators, which convert electrical energy into precise movements. These can range from $500 to $1000 each, so simpler models with fewer complex appendages are likely more affordable. Subramanian Ramamoorthy from the University of Edinburgh suggests that a robot similar to a vacuum cleaner with an arm is more likely to become a household item.

What do you want your robot to do?

If you are determined to invest in a humanoid robot, Aitken advises carefully considering the tasks you expect it to perform. “The big thing for me is understanding what you want to use the humanoid robot for, because so much other stuff flows down after that,” he says. The robot’s effectiveness will largely depend on its physical capabilities and intelligence.

First, consider its physical capabilities. Do you need assistance with laundry, grocery carrying, dishwasher loading, or organizing? These tasks may seem straightforward but require precise execution. Understanding the robot’s practical abilities is crucial in determining what it can and cannot do.

The payload, or the maximum weight a robot can carry, is a significant factor. The NEO can lift around 70 kilograms while stationary, equivalent to some adults’ weight, but it can only carry up to 25 kg, similar to a medium suitcase. This exceeds many other models’ capacities, which might manage a plate but not heavier items. “The payload is of the order of low single-digit kilograms per arm, which automatically limits the tasks,” Aitken notes.

Energy capacity is another limitation for current humanoid robots. The NEO’s battery lasts about 4 hours with a fast charge. It can handle light activities like walking between rooms and tidying, but more demanding tasks can drain the battery faster. “As soon as I’m starting to ask for it to be more capable and able to do more of the types of tasks that we humans might do, then I’m going to be putting more of a strain on battery life,” says Aitken. Cheaper alternatives, like the Unitree R1, only offer a 1-hour battery life.

Strength is irrelevant for a humanoid robot without intelligence to support it. These robots rely on AI models to process inputs, primarily video from built-in cameras, and plan their actions. The GR00T model, developed by Nvidia, is a widely used operating system for humanoid robots, facilitating smooth interaction with their surroundings. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has remarked that “the easiest robots to adapt into the world are humanoid robots because we built the world for us”.

Regardless of the operating system, the goal is to train these robots using data about human movement, allowing them to imitate it. Vision-language models from Nvidia and others take camera inputs and convert them into movement instructions. World models provide an internal predictive map of the robot’s environment, helping it plan actions by simulating potential outcomes.

While some humanoid developers opt for GR00T, others pursue different paths. Figure relies on its Helix visual-language action model, akin to an AI large language model with visual and verbal inputs. 1X employs its proprietary world model and a vision-language model called Redwood.

These systems are not without flaws. Ramamoorthy highlights that a prominent demo of Tesla’s Optimus humanoid in 2024 was allegedly assisted by nearby humans using VR headsets. In later demos, Tesla owner Elon Musk denied teleoperation involvement. Ramamoorthy cautions against expecting ready-to-use androids soon, remarking, “I think for the average everyday person, I would be really surprised if things started happening very soon.”

Part of the reason is that this technology is still evolving. Early adopters may help refine these robots, similar to how self-driving vehicle tests contribute to future improvements. People who have interacted with humanoids like NEO note their strengths and limitations. While some tasks can be done autonomously, others require human teleoperators to guide actions remotely. Ramamoorthy adds, “At the moment, I don’t know what I would do with [a humanoid robot], because they’re not yet capable enough for doing the things that normal people are interested in.”

There are privacy concerns, too. Unlike a stationary laptop webcam, a robot’s sensors will be active whenever operational, potentially intruding into private life. Aitken advises buyers to consider data ownership and usage. “Who owns that data? Where does it come from? Where does it go?” Joanna Bryson adds, “People think they bought a friend, and they just bought a spy.”

Neither Figure nor 1X addressed criticisms about data collection in emails, though humanoid robot companies claim they use data exclusively to enhance performance.

Will your robot actually work at all – or last?

If those concerns don’t deter you, consider what the sticker price of a robot really includes. Some models, like the Unitree R1, introduced in July 2025 for £4400, may seem accessible for some. However, purchasing one often only provides the device itself—it lacks a built-in AI brain to function, requiring tech-savvy buyers to install one.

Therefore, cheaper robots may not be as economical as they appear. It’s best to view humanoids not as one-time purchases like dishwashers, but rather like cars or gaming consoles, which need regular maintenance and updates. The $499 monthly fee for NEO might be a more sustainable option than a $20,000 one-time payment. A misstep could result in a short-lived or non-functional robot butler.

What could go wrong?

Finally, consider potential issues with your new robot butler. “Even if you have a task that you do 100 times and 99 per cent of the time you do it successfully, 1 per cent of the time you don’t,” Aitken cautions. “What can happen in that 1 per cent of the time?”

In other words, how severe could a robot’s mistake be in your home? While Figure 02 models have assisted in BMW assembly, homes present more complex environments than factories, with their orderly workflows. Homes include children, pets, clutter, and distracted individuals. Aitken notes that his 18-month-old son is constantly on the move. If even human parents struggle to monitor him, can a humanoid robot be expected to do so effectively?

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