Episode 7: Are you buying a $499 home robot?

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 roboticsWhat the $499/month X1 Neo really doesSafety, privacy, and control concernsEveryday robots that already work — vacuums, mowers, airport cleanersThe human cost and value of automationIf you've got feedback, we'd love to hear it. We reply to every single message! Find us at ⁠Working On It Podcast⁠, or follow our ⁠LinkedIn Page⁠. Or talk to ⁠Holly⁠ or ⁠Ewan⁠ on LinkedIn.