Neura Unveils the 4NE-1: A New Era in Humanoid Robotics
Neura Unleashes the 4NE‑1 – A Humanoid That Can Iron, Move Boxes, and Probably Tweak Its Own Software
Just this week, German robotics powerhouse Neura dropped a flashy promo video of its new 4NE‑1 humanoid. The clip shows the robot folding laundry, lifting boxes, and even cracking a joke (well, that was an assistant’s joke, but the robot did the stiff-upper‑lip shuffle). At the same time, video not shown here Nvidia was showcasing a buffet of their new tools for humanoid robots at the Siggraph conference in Colorado.
Neura is Not the Only Star in the Show
Neura joined a gang of dozen or so firms that got early access to Nvidia’s cutting‑edge “humanoid” kit. The lineup includes:
- 1X
- Boston Dynamics
- ByteDance Research
- Field AI
- Figure
- Fourier
- Galbot
- LimX Dynamics
- Mentee
- RobotEra
- Skild AI
Names like 1X, Figure, and Boston Dynamics have been the heavy‑hitters in the space, but Neura has been teasing their cheekily named 4NE‑1 for a while. Yesterday’s video feels more like a teaser than a full‑scale debut: it’s a glorified demo, shot with a mix of studio lighting and real‑world footage.
A Behind‑the‑Scenes Look with David Reger
I chatted with Neura CEO David Reger during a humanoid panel at Automate (which also had Boston Dynamics, Agility, and Apptronik). He promised a deep‑dive into the bot in July (the same month you might rewatch the Jedi training montage most faithfully).
While the panel had a number of robots on display, most of them were more like photo‑ops than functional machines – no real tasks, just one pose, one silhouette, one awkwardly stiff wave.
What Does the 4NE‑1 Video Show?
The clip is a bit of a whirlwind: it flips between:
- Animation of the robot simulating tasks in a virtual lab
- Shots of the actual robot moving real boxes and ironing clothes
Honestly, the real-world footage is short and edited for pops and punchlines; it’s not your typical “do the thing 100 times” proof‑of‑concept you’d expect from a serious R&D team. But the bot does seem to handle a few tasks better than some of its contemporaries—if you’re judging by a Hollywood stunt reel.
Neura’s Hook With Nvidia
Reger explained that the video isn’t just a marketing gimmick—it’s Neura’s way of saying, “We’re here, and we’re ready to partner with Nvidia.” He added:
“By combining Neura’s cognitive robotics solutions with Nvidia’s high‑speed computing and simulation platforms, we can push the limits of humanoid robotics even further.”
So, the 4NE‑1 isn’t just doing laundry and moving boxes for the camera; it’s a testbed. A futuristic learning robot that will probably chat about its day, tweak its own code, and eventually take over the grocery store checkout line. Or, you know, just keep waiting until it becomes a reliable tool in production lines worldwide.
Take the Video With a Pinch of Skepticism
Until we see a robot that can consistently perform complex tasks in the real world at scale, all we can do is enjoy the flashy clips. Consider them motivational, not definitive. If we’re lucky, GPUs powered by Nvidia will help the Humanoid R&D community create sturdy, pace‑worthy robots that actually build cars, bake sourdough, and maybe write a few bad jokes of their own.
For now, sit back, watch the clip, and imagine a future where a polite robot can fold your laundry and then ask if you’d like a fresh cup of coffee. It’s coming, and it’s going to be a little snarky.
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Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise.
Oracles of the Future: Nvidia’s Drive into Humanoid Robotics
Picture this: a sleek, human‑like machine, half‑robot half‑soul, walking across the streets of San Francisco with the grace of a ballerina but the built‑in efficiency of a Swiss watch. That’s the vibe Nvidia’s latest move is throwing out into the tech cosmos.
Why the Crowd Awaits The 4NE‑1 in Action
We’ve all seen those runway demos where humanoids appear as mythical toys, but real‑world footage—that raw, unfiltered break‑of‑day footage—is the missing puzzle piece. With only pilot‑stage deployments (yes, even sunny Agility + GXO’s logistics adventure), the dream is far from the bulk‑release boom we’ve seen with autonomous mobile robots.
Nvidia’s Handshake With Humanoid Enthusiasts
- Confidence Booster: By diving headfirst into the humanoid arena, Nvidia sends a powerful message—this is the future, and it’s here.
- Speed‑Ups & New Entrants: Early investments now mean faster development cycles and a flood of fresh faces ready to compete.
CEO Jensen Huang’s Bold Vision
In a freshly inked announcement, Nvidia’s boss Jensen Huang says:
“The next wave of AI is robotics, and one of the most exhilarating breakthroughs is humanoid robots. We’re supercharging the entire Nvidia robotics stack—platforms, acceleration libraries, AI models—so developers worldwide can roll out their own humanoid innovations with zero barriers.”
All in all, Nvidia’s commitment is the loud, confident drumbeat that says: the humanoid world is on the brink of a revolution, and everyone is invited to join the dance.
