Humanoid robots in the smart home face steep obstacles

Humanoid home robots still encounter major technical hurdles, and some models raise privacy concerns because companies may allow remote human control.

Humanoid robots for the home have long been a popular idea, but real-world rollout remains limited. The technology still struggles to match human balance, coordination, and adaptability. Many companies have shown prototypes, yet commercially useful, general-purpose humanoid helpers are not common. At the same time, purpose-built robots for specific tasks already operate widely in homes and industry. Key points: - Designing humanoid robots is difficult because they must replicate complex human physiology and balance. - Honda’s ASIMO was a well-known example that was retired in 2018 without any commercial sales. - Task-specific robots, such as robot vacuums, lawnmowers, window-cleaning units, and industrial arms, have long been commercially successful. - The 1X NEO is described in reporting as an advanced humanoid offered at about $20,000 with roughly a $500 monthly subscription, a $200 deposit option, deliveries tipped to start in 2026, and a reported company policy that allows remote human operators to take control for data-gathering and task completion. Summary: The combination of persistent technical limits and privacy implications makes wide household adoption of humanoid helpers uncertain in the near term. Some firms plan limited deliveries and data-driven development, but broader consumer rollout is undetermined at this time.