- Tuesday Labs has started accepting pre-orders for the Voxel home robot, with an estimated price of around US$20,000.
- Voxel is equipped with two flexible arms that have seven degrees of freedom, capable of performing basic household tasks.
- The robot is designed to be anthropomorphic, able to handle tasks such as tidying up and finding lost items.
- The pre-order fee is US$200, with shipments expected to begin in 2028.
Located in New York City, Tuesday Labs, a robotics lab and design studio, has begun accepting pre-orders for Voxel, a bipedal home robot designed to learn and take over daily household chores. The pre-order fee is US$200 (approximately HK$1,560), with a final estimated price of around US$20,000 (approximately HK$156,000). Voxel is expected to begin shipping sometime in 2028. According to a report from The Verge, the company refers to it as a "robotic butler." The Series-1 model is being launched alongside other home robots like Weave Robotics' Isaac 1, aimed at handling chores beyond just mopping or vacuuming.
Design and Features of Voxel
The main tools of Voxel are two highly flexible arms with seven degrees of freedom. Each arm is equipped with a simple gripping device, rather than the dexterous fingers found on Boston Dynamics' Atlas robot. The arms extend from above the robot's body, which also serves as its head and features a small mouth. Pixelated animated eyes are located at the robot's waist, concealing a pair of stereoscopic RGB cameras. Another wide-angle camera allows Voxel to monitor the entire room. It walks using a pair of Z-shaped legs, with the bending direction of the knees opposite to that of humans.
This design is intentional, allowing the robot to bend its knees to maintain balance and adjust its height when approaching kitchen cabinets, tables, and shelves.
Pre-Order and Shipping Information
Overall, Voxel's appearance is generally anthropomorphic, but with some design liberties. It replaces dexterous fingers with simpler gripping devices and positions its facial features lower than those of a human. Regarding its capabilities and household benefits, Tuesday Labs' website details the hardware, but descriptions of its abilities are relatively sparse. Voxel is designed to handle basic autonomous tasks, including tidying up and returning items to their places. It is also intended to manage daily chores such as watering plants, retrieving items like books, and assisting in finding lost belongings.
For example, users can ask Voxel where it last saw the remote control. At launch, Voxel will not be able to cook dinner or change diapers. The Verge notes that if it can reliably remember where you placed your keys, those with poor short-term memory may find justification for its high price.
Important to note before pre-ordering, the US$200 (approximately HK$1,560) pre-order fee is separate from the estimated full price of around US$20,000 (approximately HK$156,000). Reports indicate that Voxel is expected to ship "sometime in 2028," meaning buyers will have to wait at least a year or longer to receive the product.
Item Specifications Processor Unknown Camera Stereoscopic RGB cameras + wide-angle camera
Potential Impact of Voxel Robot on Home Life
The launch of the Voxel home robot marks a significant advancement in home automation technology. As demand for smart homes increases, this robot aims to simplify daily chores and may appeal to families seeking convenience. Although its current capabilities are limited, its design and flexibility indicate potential for future development. As technology advances, future versions may enhance its intelligence and practicality, bringing more changes to home life.