Episode 7: Are you buying a $499 home robot?
About this Episode
In this episode, Holly and Ewan debate the arrival of the $499-a-month X1 Neo humanoid robot: A domestic helper that promises to tidy, load the dishwasher, and even put away groceries. Ewan’s enthusiasm meets Holly’s positive skepticism as they unpack the hype, the marketing fluff (“machine-washable knit suit,” anyone?), and the uneasy question of who’s really in control when a human operator can remotely pilot your household robot.
From the reality of its four-hour battery life to the privacy risks of a wandering camera, they explore where robotics sits today ... and how far it still has to go. The discussion also veers into more practical territory: robot lawn-mowers like Husqvarna’s Automower, Heathrow’s autonomous cleaning robots, Abu Dhabi’s self-driving TXAI taxis, and why Holly’s waiting for version 5 before inviting a robot into her home.
Key topics:
The rise (and limits) of home robotics
What the $499/month X1 Neo really does
Safety, privacy, and control concerns
Everyday robots that already work — vacuums, mowers, airport cleaners
The human cost and value of automation
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