10,000 humanoid robots sold out in 5 days, instantly generating over $200,000,000 in pre-orders Robotics startup 1X Technologies just dropped NEO, a $20,000 bipedal home bot wrapped in soft fabric - and crowds are literally swarming it in public stores. Backed directly by OpenAI, this 62 kg bot walks around taking selfies, handing back phones, and making jokes while operating completely unassisted around terrified onlookers. The demand is so absurd that 1X is rushing a dedicated California mega-factory just to keep up with orders. Why NEO is sparking a massive consumer robotics panic: Insane Pricing Model: At $499/month, owning an autonomous human-sized assistant costs less than leasing a mid-tier car. No Heavy Steel: Muscle-like tendon actuators replace rigid metal gears, making it soft and safe to touch instead of a walking hazard. Zero Scripting: Built-in spatial AI lets it parse messy human spaces and hold natural conversations on the fly.