SwitchBot’s new robot could take household chores off your plate

CES always brings a flood of futuristic tech, and this year, robot butlers are stealing the spotlight. LG has already teased its CLOiD robot, and SwitchBot is joining the fray with its first humanoid robot built to handle household chores.

SwitchBot says the onero H1 is a completely automatic and collaborative robot that can help users with a wide range of domestic tasks. The robot features two fully articulating arms with 22 degrees of freedom, giving it near-human dexterity.

The onero H1 scans its surroundings using multiple Intel RealSense cameras in its head, arms, hands, and abdomen, and processes the data with SwitchBot’s OmniSense VLA AI algorithm. According to SwitchBot’s marketing video, this lets the robot perform tasks like making and delivering coffee, cooking meals, rinsing dishes and loading them into the dishwasher, and even doing the laundry.

SwitchBot adds the robot can also integrate seamlessly into its broader smart home ecosystem, interacting with other smart devices to coordinate tasks. Unlike other humanoid robots we’ve seen of late, the onero H1 moves on wheels, which should allow for more stability and faster navigation around the house.

Pre-orders open soon, but the price tag is still a mystery

There’s no word on pricing yet, but SwitchBot plans to open pre-orders on its official website soon. How well it performs in real-world use remains to be seen. We’re keeping our expectations in check, especially considering the number of overhyped demos and hilarious fails we’ve seen lately.

Humanoid robots like the onero H1 hint at a future where daily chores could be automated, giving people more time for work, hobbies, or just to relax. While we’re still a long way from having fully capable robot butlers in every home, this year’s CES showcase suggests companies are serious about turning that sci-fi dream into reality.