A very serious guide to buying your own humanoid robot butler
You can now buy a humanoid robot housekeeper for less than the price of a second-hand car. But before splashing out, there’s something you need to know
17 March 2026
Science fiction is strewn with humanoid robots, from bad-tempered Bender in Futurama to cunning Ava in Ex Machina. And it has long seemed like that’s the natural home for such robots – on the screen and in books. The idea of a walking, talking, functioning robot with two arms and two legs has appeared to be a distant dream.
But things are changing. Last year, machines ran, boxed and even played football at China’s World Humanoid Robot Games, albeit sometimes falling over in the process. Meanwhile, companies have been readying their own range of humanoids that promise to do something a bit more useful: help around the house. At the tail end of last year, robotics company 1X opened preorders for its NEO robot, with deliveries expected this year – a crucial milestone. And with several other companies also now offering humanoid assistants for sale, we are finally living in a world where you can essentially buy yourself a robot butler. There are options out there for a few thousand pounds, less than the price of a small second-hand car.
The AI expert who says artificial general intelligence is nonsense
That’s why I have decided to create what is probably the world’s first guide for those considering making a purchase – and those who just want to know what all this adds up to. I will unpack not just each model’s vital statistics, but also explore four vital questions any would-be robot owner should ask. One thing is for sure: buyers should beware – they might get a lot less and a lot more than they bargaine
A very serious guide to buying your own humanoid robot butler
You can now buy a humanoid robot housekeeper for less than the price of a second-hand car. But before splashing out, there’s something you need to know
17 March 2026
Science fiction is strewn with humanoid robots, from bad-tempered Bender in Futurama to cunning Ava in Ex Machina. And it has long seemed like that’s the natural home for such robots – on the screen and in books. The idea of a walking, talking, functioning robot with two arms and two legs has appeared to be a distant dream.
But things are changing. Last year, machines ran, boxed and even played football at China’s World Humanoid Robot Games, albeit sometimes falling over in the process. Meanwhile, companies have been readying their own range of humanoids that promise to do something a bit more useful: help around the house. At the tail end of last year, robotics company 1X opened preorders for its NEO robot, with deliveries expected this year – a crucial milestone. And with several other companies also now offering humanoid assistants for sale, we are finally living in a world where you can essentially buy yourself a robot butler. There are options out there for a few thousand pounds, less than the price of a small second-hand car.
The AI expert who says artificial general intelligence is nonsense
That’s why I have decided to create what is probably the world’s first guide for those considering making a purchase – and those who just want to know what all this adds up to. I will unpack not just each model’s vital statistics, but also explore four vital questions any would-be robot owner should ask. One thing is for sure: buyers should beware – they might get a lot less and a lot more than they bargaine
Europe Solidaire 