Is There a Robot Butler in Your Future?

Or a maid like Rosie from the Jetsons?

Well, that day may not be too far off.

It’s not something that I’ve seen reported much in the general media, but it seems that a number of companies are working towards building consumer-grade robots for household use.

Here are what are considered to be the top four:

NEO Gamma – 1X Technologies (Norway)

The NEO Gamma is designed for chores (e.g., making coffee, laundry, vacuuming), companionship, and assisting with daily tasks. NEO Gamma responds to voice commands and navigates home environments naturally. As a companion it aims to improve mental health through interaction.

The cost is rumored to be about $20,000 and is currently in limited household use for testing purposes. It should be available commercially in 2026–2027.

Click here for a short video of the Neo Gamma.

Optimus – Tesla (United States)

Optimus is intended for tasks like moving objects, cleaning, caregiving, and assisting seniors or people with disabilities. Optimus leverages Tesla’s AI and Full-Self Driving tech for navigation and task execution in homes.

The initial cost is estimated at $20,000–$30,000, dropping to $10,000–$15,000 with mass production.

Sales are targeted for 2026.

Click here for a short video of the Optimus.

G1 – Unitree Robotics (China)

The G1 is marketed for light tasks like cleaning, operating appliances, or companionship. Its compact size (50 inches tall) and AI-enhanced motion control suit home environments, though it’s less advanced than NEO or Optimus.

The standard model is priced at $16,000, which makes me wonder what the deluxe model does (?!?). Household adoption is limited due to a 2-hour battery life and 4-pound weight limit.

Click here for a short video of the G1.

Figure 03 – Figure AI (United States)

Figure 03 is planned for home tasks like dishwashing, laundry, and grocery unpacking, with future potential for broader chores. It’s designed with human-like dexterity and OpenAI-backed voice interaction for intuitive use. Although Figure 03’s primary focus is industrial, it is expected to be available for household use.

Figure 03 is priced around $20,000; Figure AI aims for affordability to compete with Tesla’s Optimus.

Full-scale production starts this year, with a goal of 100,000 units in four years. Currently tested in industrial settings (e.g., BMW plants), with household deployment expected by 2026.

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You think robots are not coming? Check out how Figure AI robots are building production BMW SUVs today:

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Do you remember hearing about the first iPhone when Steve Jobs unveiled it in 2007? I remember wondering who would use this thing? It was tiny (compared to today’s iPhone Pro Max), had limited power and only a few apps. Who even understood what apps were? Now Apple is selling 200+ million iPhones per year. The iPhone single-handedly changed the world. Whether it changed the world for the better is debatable, but change the world it did.

In March Brett Adcock, the founder of Figure AI, spoke at the Abundance360 conference. His remarks reflect the general consensus in the robotic technology industry. He introduced (to me at least) the term “Artificial General Intelligence” (AGI) that refers to an ability to use reasoning to adapt to new people, places or things.

Mr. Adcock stressed that giving AGI a physical body is critical to avoid dystopian outcomes where powerful AI remains trapped in computer servers. Humanoid robots allow AGI to learn and act through transfer learning and multitasking. (I still think an out-of-control robot in my house could strangle me in my sleep.)

Further, Mr. Adcock feels that today the humanoid robot industry is nearing an “iPhone moment” where, once the public sees household robots in action, everyone with $20K to spend will want one.

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So, what’s the state of household robot technology today? Well, here’s another demo from Figure AI. It’s pretty amazing to me.

My criticism of all the robot demos is that it seems like they move too slow. How could one ever be a short-order cook? How about as a caretaker to a child: [in a monotone robotic voice while walking slowly towards a child] “Bobby… don’t put that bobby pin in the electric socket… [ambling closer] No Bobby.” ZAP! Or, how about HAL 9000 in the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey: “I’m sorry, Dave. I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

Humanoid robotic technology is rocketing forward though. The question is, would you pay $20K for one in your house? I’m thinking that if it can do some cooking, make the bed, do the dishes, and run the vacuum I’d be interested.

Additionally, if a robot could drive my car as a chauffer and clean the kitty litter, they have a sale! I might even adopt a cat.