CES 2026 is not the primary yr we have seen a wave of attention-grabbing robots and even helpful robots crop up in Las Vegas. Nevertheless it’s the primary yr I can keep in mind when there have been so many humanoid and humanoid-like robots performing really helpful duties. Of these, Switchbot’s Onero H1 has been one of the vital intriguing robotic helpers I’ve seen on the present flooring, particularly as a result of the corporate says that it’s going to really go on sale later this yr (although it will not come low cost).
Thus far, Chinese language firm Switchbot has been recognized for its robotic vacuums and good house gadgets. A lot of that experience is obvious in Onero. The unexpectedly cute robotic has a wheeled base that appears just like the corporate’s robotic vacuums, however can be outfitted with a set of articulated arms that may assist it carry out frequent family duties.
I used to be capable of see a few of its skills at Switchbot’s CES sales space, the place Onero dutifully picked up particular person articles of clothes from a sofa, rolled over to a washer, opened the door, positioned the gadgets inside and closed the door. The robotic moved a bit slowly; it took practically two minutes for it to seize one piece of clothes and deposit it contained in the equipment which was only some toes away.
I am unsure if its slowness was a quirk of the poor CES Wi-Fi, a demo designed to maximise conference-goers consideration or a real limitation of the robotic. However I am unsure it issues all that a lot. The entire attraction of a chore robotic is that it might handle issues if you’re not round; if you happen to come house to a load of laundry that is finished, it isn’t that regarding if the robotic took longer to finish the duty than you’d have. The laundry is completed and you do not have to do it. That is the dream.
Underneath the hood, Onero is powered by RealSense cameras and different sensors that assist it be taught its environment, in addition to on-device AI fashions.
The demo after all solely provided a really restricted glimpse of Onero’s potential capabilities. In a promotional video shared by Switchbot, the corporate suggests the robotic can a lot, far more: serve meals and drinks, put dishes away, wash home windows, fold garments and full a bunch of different — frankly, spectacular — duties. The Onero within the video additionally has an articulated hand with 5 fingers that offers it extra dexterity than the claw-hand one I noticed at CES. A Switchbot rep instructed me, although, that it plans to supply each variations when it does go on sale.
Which brings me to probably the most thrilling half about watching Onero: the corporate is definitely planning on promoting it this yr. A Switchbot rep confirmed to me it will likely be in the stores someday in 2026, although it’s going to seemingly be nearer to the top of the yr. The corporate hasn’t settled on a ultimate worth, however I used to be instructed it will likely be “lower than $10,000.”
Whereas we do not know the way a lot much less, it is protected to say Onero will not come low cost. It additionally appears honest to say that this shall be a really area of interest gadget in comparison with lots of Switchbot’s different merchandise. However, if it might competently deal with all the pieces the corporate claims it might, then there’s in all probability lots of people and companies that will be prepared to pay.
