Dar Sleeper, vice president of product and design at AI startup 1X, has accused Wired magazine of misrepresenting their latest product, a $20,000 humanoid robot named Neo, by focusing on perceived sexualization rather than its technological advancements. Sleeper stated he felt "pretty betrayed" by the coverage, asserting that the article's angle was not what he was led to believe it would be and contradicts his personal stance.
1X unveiled Neo, designed for household chores, featuring advanced AI-powered hands with 25 degrees of freedom and tactile sensing to mimic human dexterity. The robot is capable of tasks such as cleaning and fetching items. The company is offering Neo through a $20,000 purchase or a $500 monthly subscription plan, with U.S. deliveries expected later this year.
The controversy stems from a Wired exclusive that highlighted Neo's promotional videos. Journalist Boone Ashworth described scenes where the robot's hands interacted with objects like a wine glass, a zipper, and grapes, suggesting these actions felt "very sensual." Ashworth commented on the strategy, saying, "Not to kink shame, but this is a strange strategy for selling a robot…"
In response to the article, Sleeper shared a private note he sent to the Wired reporter, criticizing what he called "click-driven journalism." He argued that while sensationalism might drive clicks, it should not overshadow significant technological achievements. Sleeper expressed regret for granting Wired exclusive access to the launch of the robot's hands, which he described as "one of the most important technological developments in the history of Mankind."