1X releases World Model so NEO humanoid robots can learn new skills from videos

1X Unveils Video-Based AI Model for Humanoid Robots

Robotics company 1X has released the 1X World Model, a video-based AI model designed to help its NEO humanoid robot acquire new physical skills without extensive human supervision 1

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. The system marks a significant shift in how robots learn, moving away from traditional pre-programmed behaviors and labor-intensive data collection methods 2

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. Instead of relying solely on human trainers to demonstrate tasks repeatedly, NEO can now learn from internet-scale video data and apply that knowledge directly to the physical world 3

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How NEO Learns New Skills From Videos

The 1X World Model uses a combination of video content and voice or text prompts to give NEO robots new abilities they weren't previously trained on 1

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. The physics-based model processes video data linked to specific prompts, then feeds that information back into the network of bots to enhance their understanding of real-world dynamics 1

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. Demonstration videos show NEO completing everyday tasks like packing a lunchbox, opening sliding doors, operating a toilet seat, ironing clothes, and even brushing human hair 3

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. These actions showcase the robot's ability to transfer broad human knowledge captured in videos into practical robotic behavior.

Reducing Dependence on Human Trainers

Founder and CEO Bernt Børnich explained that after years of developing the world model and making NEO's design as close to human as possible, the robot can now learn from internet-scale video and apply that knowledge directly to the physical world 1

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. This AI update fundamentally changes how NEO improves over time, allowing it to learn directly from video captured by the robot itself rather than requiring extensive human-operated demonstrations 3

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. The approach addresses concerns about robot operators, including those working on Tesla's Optimus project, who have reported injuries due to the physically demanding and tedious nature of their work 3

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. Positions are often advertised on a shift basis, with pay starting at $25 an hour at both Tesla and 1X 3

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Scalable Learning Intelligence

Bernt Børnich told Business Insider that the new world model "does the same thing as the operator would do," adding that "the big unlock is essentially now that intelligence scales with the number of deployed robots, instead of the number of operators you have gathering data" 3

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. This scalable learning approach could dramatically reduce the time and cost associated with training humanoid robots. The model also gives users insight into how NEO is thinking of behaving or reacting to certain prompts, which could help 1X train these models to a point where robots will be able to react to prompts for tasks they've never done before 1

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Availability for Pre-Order Customers

The robotics company opened pre-orders for NEO in October with plans to ship the bots this year, though a 1X spokesperson declined to share a specific timeline or order numbers beyond saying pre-orders exceeded expectations 1

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. NEO is priced at $20,000 as a one-time payment or available via a $500 monthly subscription 3

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. Early adopters can expect NEO to be piloted by a remote human operator for tasks that the robot cannot yet perform autonomously, while also collecting data to further train the AI model 3

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. This hybrid approach allows pre-order customers to use the robot immediately while contributing to its ongoing development and capability expansion.