Hey from Barcelona. Here’s what’s happening, a robotics startup just opened preorders for its $20,000 home robot, but it comes with a major catch. For complex tasks, it still needs a human to remote-control it.
This isn’t a flaw: it’s a blueprint for how physical automation will actually work. The most practical systems will pair AI for the routine stuff with human oversight for the edge cases, a model that applies just as much to the warehouse floor as the kitchen.
Topics of the day:
1X's new human-assisted home robot
TikTok’s AI for automated video editing
An AI exoskeleton to reduce worker fatigue
Samsung’s AI-powered megafactory
The Shortlist: AgiBot’s zero-code robot trainer, new data on AI agents failing real-world tasks, Uber’s 2026 robotaxi plans, and Google’s push to monetize AI with ads.
Your first home robot has a catch
What’s happening: Robotics startup 1X has opened up preorders for its NEO humanoid robot, a $20,000 machine designed to handle chores around the house. The catch? Some tasks still require a remote human operator to take control.
In practice:
This isn't just a product, it's a business model blueprint for blending AI with human oversight to tackle complex physical tasks.
While NEO starts at home, the underlying tech is a preview of automation for warehouses and retail floors in what could become a $5T market.
It’s a reminder that today’s most effective automation often pairs AI for the routine work with a human for the tricky edge cases - which might be fine for warehouses, but do people want a housekeeper with a camera?
Bottom line: NEO isn’t the fully autonomous helper from the movies, but it is one of the first real-world steps in that direction. It’s a clear signal for operators to start thinking about how human-robot collaboration can automate physical work, not just digital tasks.
TikTok's AI automates your video editing
What’s happening: TikTok just launched new AI tools that automates video editing, turning long videos into multiple short clips and generating entire scripts from a simple prompt.
In practice:
You can now automate content repurposing by feeding the AI a webinar or podcast and getting back ready-to-post clips.
The script generator helps marketers and founders beat creative block by turning a single idea into a structured video outline with hooks and hashtags.
This lets small teams create platform-native content at scale without needing a dedicated video editor or social media manager.
Bottom line: This removes the technical and creative friction from short-form video. Now, any business can turn its existing knowledge into a consistent marketing engine.
AI exoskeleton gives your legs a turbo boost
What's happening: A new AI-powered exoskeleton called Hypershell learns your unique stride to boost your speed and strength, making it easier to walk long distances or carry heavy loads.
In practice:
For jobs in logistics or manufacturing, this could dramatically reduce worker fatigue and injury risk by offsetting the weight of heavy equipment.
Field technicians, surveyors, or site managers can cover more ground with less effort, boosting on-site efficiency and completing physical tasks faster.
It also points toward a future of enhanced workplace accessibility, helping employees with physical limitations perform their jobs more effectively.
Bottom line: This is where AI-driven robotics gets practical for physical work. For businesses with demanding operational roles, tools like this could become key for productivity and employee safety.
Samsung and NVIDIA build an 'AI Megafactory'
What’s happening: Samsung and NVIDIA are partnering to create an AI-powered “Megafactory,” using tens of thousands of GPUs to optimize the entire manufacturing process for chips, phones, and robots.
In practice:
It shows the power of digital twins for operations, letting you test changes to a production line or workflow in a simulation before risking real-world downtime.
This approach moves beyond simple automation to predictive optimization, using AI to anticipate equipment failures and supply chain issues before they happen.
For growth, this highlights the advantage of an end-to-end AI system that connects design, production, and quality control to find efficiency gains across the entire business.
Bottom line: You don’t need 50,000 GPUs to apply the core idea of using AI for real-time operational improvements. This is about turning business data into your biggest asset for efficiency.
The Shortlist
AgiBot unveiled LinkCraft, a zero-code platform that lets you program a humanoid robot's actions by simply recording a video of the movement.
New research shows that even the best AI agents struggle with practical work, failing to complete more than 3% of remote work tasks in a recent study.
Uber plans to launch a premium robotaxi service in San Francisco in 2026, directly challenging Waymo in its home market.
Google confirmed it plans to eventually monetize its AI services with ads, though executives are still deciding on formats that won’t disrupt the user experience.
This newsletter is where I (Kwadwo) share products, articles, and links that I find useful and interesting, mostly around AI. I focus on tools and solutions that bring real value to people in everyday jobs, not just tech insiders.
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