Humanoid robot startups target domestic market with new consumer models

The domestic humanoid robot market is beginning to emerge as companies move from industrial applications toward consumer-facing products. Nori Robotics, a Y Combinator-backed startup, is preparing to assemble its second batch of A3 robots in San Francisco this autumn. The A3 is a wheeled platform equipped with two robotic arms capable of lifting approximately one kilogram each. It uses LiDAR and cameras for navigation and is designed to be trained by its owners, who can share learned skills via an online platform.

In a different segment of the market, the Norwegian startup 1X has launched pre-orders for its NEO model. Priced at $20,000 or available via a $499 monthly subscription, the NEO is expected to begin deliveries to individuals in the United States by the end of the year. 1X is currently producing units at its facility in Hayward, California, with a target of 10,000 units this year.

While the industry currently faces challenges such as high costs, AI performance limitations, and safety concerns, long-term projections are significant. A Bank of America study suggests that by 2060, there could be 3 billion humanoid robots in service globally, with approximately 2 billion of those located in domestic settings.