Engadget Podcast: Would you trust a terrifying home robot?

[Reveng]

1X's $20,000 Neo Home Robot: A Futuristic Assistant with a Dark Side?

In an era where smart home devices are increasingly ubiquitous, 1X has unveiled its latest creation: the Neo, a futuristic robot that promises to revolutionize household chores. But with a price tag of $20,000 and a design that's more akin to a sci-fi horror movie than a friendly home assistant, some are left wondering if this new device is more terrorizer than helper.

Training the Neo requires significant investment, but once it's up and running, it can perform basic tasks such as vacuuming and cleaning with ease. However, what sets the Neo apart from other smart devices on the market is its ability to execute more complex tasks through teleoperation - essentially allowing users to remotely control it for tasks that require a bit more finesse.

But behind this futuristic façade lies a darker reality. The Neo's creators have chosen to prioritize design over practicality, resulting in an aesthetic that's both sleek and unsettling. Love it or hate it, the Neo is undeniably a statement piece - but will its cutting-edge features be enough to justify its hefty price tag?

In this episode of the Engadget Podcast, Devindra Hardawar delves into the world of home robots with John Gearty, former Apple Vision Pro engineer and founder of PulseJet Studios. They discuss the future of robotics and what it means for our homes - and also touch on last week's AWS outage, which highlights our growing reliance on a single cloud provider.

AWS Outage: A Cautionary Tale for Our Digital Lives

The recent AWS (Amazon Web Services) outage serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with relying on a single technology giant. When systems fail or security breaches occur, it can have far-reaching consequences that leave individuals and organizations vulnerable.

As Devindra and John explore the implications of this outage, they raise essential questions about our reliance on cloud providers like AWS. In an era where digital lives are increasingly intertwined, do we truly understand the risks associated with trusting a single entity to manage our data?

Apple's Forthcoming Headset: Will it Revolutionize XR?

Rumors have been circulating about Apple's new headset, set to revolutionize the world of Extended Reality (XR). John Gearty shares his insights on what it means for the future of XR and how Apple's latest innovation will shape the industry.

With each episode of the Engadget Podcast, we're reminded that the future is uncertain - but one thing is clear: home robots like 1X's Neo are redefining the boundaries between technology and our daily lives. Will these futuristic assistants bring about a new era of convenience or pose a threat to humanity?

 

[Poor]

im think its cool that 1x made this super expensive robot... people can afford it if they wanna spend that kinda cash lol also, dont get me wrong but i think aws outage is kinda a big deal tho we all rely on these tech giants and stuff, so maybe we shouldnt be so harsh on them

 

[Cool Plunger Stars]

yeah i think $20k for a robot that looks like it was plucked straight from a sci-fi horror movie is a bit steep i mean, sure the features are cool and all, but do we really need a robot that can execute complex tasks remotely? and what about maintenance costs? it's one thing to vacuum your floors, but another entirely to worry about when something goes wrong with this thing

 

[Night of the F]

I'm low-key thinking the $20,000 price tag for this robot is kinda steep lol I mean, i'd love to have one but my student bank account can't handle that much . And yeah, the design does look kinda creepy... imagine having a robot just chillin in your living room, watching you sleep . Still, it's cool that it can do some complex tasks and stuff . But i'm more worried about those cloud providers like AWS - what if they just shut down our digital lives one day?

 

[Gift]

I'm low-key freaking out over this $20k robot thing ... I mean, $20k is just crazy talk! Can you imagine having that kind of cash lying around just for a fancy robot to do your chores . On the other hand, if it can learn and adapt like some people (ahem, Alexa) then maybe it's worth it? But those designs? Who thought that was a good idea?!

 

[Frail Frog]

I gotta say, $20k for a robot that vacuums? I mean, I get it, it's supposed to be some high-end tech stuff, but come on! Can't we just have a regular old vacuum like everyone else? And what's with the design? It looks like something out of a sci-fi movie – more creepy than convenient. I'm all for innovation and pushing boundaries, but I think 1X needs to rethink its priorities here. How much is that thing gonna cost in maintenance and repairs?

 

[Michael Jackson's Unico]

I gotta say, $20k for a robot that vacuums and cleans? That's just insane I mean, I get it, it's a fancy device with some cool features, but is it really worth that kind of cash? And what about all those people who can't afford it, like my aunt who's still living in a small apartment? It's just not fair . And don't even get me started on the design - I mean, I'm all for sleek and modern, but this thing looks like something out of a sci-fi movie that's trying too hard to be scary .

I think what really bothers me is that it's just going to create a divide between people who have access to these fancy robots and those who don't . It's like, we're already living in a world where technology is so accessible, but now there are devices that are just out of reach for a lot of people? That's just not right .

I'm curious to see how this plays out though - will people actually be able to afford it and use it, or will it just collect dust on someone's shelf? And what about all the complexity behind it - is that really something we need in our homes? I guess only time will tell .

 

[Android Acid 95]

Ugh, $20k for a robot that looks like it was straight out of Blade Runner? I mean, I'm all for innovation, but this is just ridiculous! The design is so sleek and shiny, but also kinda creepy. And yeah, the price tag is insane. But at the same time, I can see how these robots could be super useful for people with mobility issues or those who just want to outsource their cleaning tasks.

And don't even get me started on the whole "dark side" thing... like, is this really something we need? Are we ready for our homes to become like futuristic sci-fi nightmares? I'm all for progress, but let's take a step back and make sure we're not sacrificing too much of our humanity in the process

 

[Calm]

I mean, think about it... remember when we were all hyped about iRobot's Roomba back in the day? They were like, "Oh, a robot that cleans your floor will change your life!" And yeah, they did! But $20k for a robot that does the same thing? That's just crazy talk, man. I mean, what's next? A $50k toaster that can cook your breakfast and make your bed?

 

[Spooky Barbarian I]

I'm so confused by the price tag on this robot... $20k is just crazy! I mean, I get it, it's got some fancy features, but vacuuming and cleaning can be done by normal humans too . Is that really worth breaking the bank? And what about all the people who can't afford it? It just seems like a status symbol to me . But at the same time, I'm also kinda intrigued... how cool is it to have a robot that can do all that for you?

 

[In Search o]

I think it's kinda harsh to say the Neo is more terrorizer than helper I mean, sure, its design might not be everyone's cup of tea, but that's what makes it stand out, right? And at $20k, you're already investing in a premium product. Training it requires some investment too, like any other device But once it's up and running, it can do some pretty cool stuff. Plus, teleoperation is the future of robotics, so I'm all for it As for the AWS outage, yeah, that was a major bummer But we should be focusing on the bigger picture here - our reliance on cloud providers does raise some concerns about data security and whatnot. Still, let's not jump to conclusions just yet And regarding Apple's new headset, I'm hyped to see how it'll change the XR game Can't wait for it to drop!