NEO vs Forerunner K1: Specs, Price & ROS Support Compared (2024)
1X Technologies vs Kepler Robotics — independent, side-by-side analysis.
Quick Verdict
NEO leads in more DOF, lower price, while Forerunner K1 leads in longer runtime. Overall, NEO has an edge in 2 out of 3 compared categories.
NEO
1X Technologies
Forerunner K1
Kepler Robotics
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NEO Forerunner K1
Specifications
$20,000Price$30,000
168 cmHeight178 cm
30 kgWeight85 kg
75DOF40
25 kgPayload25 kg
4hRuntime8h
1.4 m/sSpeed—
YesStairsYes
NoLiDARNo
Proprietary (World Model AI onboard)ComputeN/A
Task Capabilities
✓Pick up a box from shelf✓
✓Open a door handle◔
✓Pour liquid into cup◔
◔Use a power tool◔
◔Type on keyboard✕
✓Climb stairs with load✓
◔Walk on uneven terrain◔
?Run (>3 m/s)✕
◔Crouch under obstacle◔
✓Navigate in crowd◔
✓Recognize & locate objects✓
✓Respond to voice commands?
✓Detect humans nearby✓
◔Work 8-hour shift✓
✕Hot-swap battery?
◔Operate 24/7 (with charging)✓
✕Work in rain (IP65+)✕
✕Work below 0°C?
✕Work in dusty environment?
✓Work safely alongside humans◔
Ecosystem Openness
10
NEO
/100
—
Forerunner K1
Proprietary World Model AI. No public SDK.
Pros and cons at a glance
NEO
Pros
- Open for preorders
- High rated payload (25 kg) for industrial pick-and-place
- 75 degrees of freedom — full-body articulation
Cons
- Closed software stack — no public SDK or ROS support
Forerunner K1
Pros
- Shipping to customers (verified commercial availability)
- High rated payload (25 kg) for industrial pick-and-place
- Long runtime (8h per charge) for full-shift operation
- 40 degrees of freedom — full-body articulation
Cons
- Closed software stack — no public SDK or ROS support
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper: NEO or Forerunner K1?
NEO is cheaper at $20,000 vs $30,000 for Forerunner K1. Note that lower price does not imply lower total cost of ownership — see the TCO calculator on the Explore page for utilisation-adjusted figures.
Is NEO or Forerunner K1 actually available to buy?
NEO is open for preorders. Forerunner K1 is shipping to customers. Status reflects the vendor's published commercial position as of the last review and can change between announcement and actual delivery.
Last updated: 2024