CES 2026 has distinguished itself from previous years by showcasing a surge of humanoid and humanoid-like robots performing genuinely practical tasks. Among the most intriguing entries is Switchbot’s Onero H1, a domestic robot helper that successfully bridges the gap between smart home expertise and advanced robotics. Unlike many experimental prototypes, the company has confirmed that the Onero H1 is scheduled to go on sale later this year.
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Drawing on Switchbot’s established history with robot vacuums and smart home devices, the Onero H1 features a wheeled base reminiscent of a vacuum cleaner, topped with a set of articulated arms designed for household chores. At a demonstration during the event, the robot showcased its ability to manage laundry by picking up individual articles of clothing from a sofa, navigating to a washing machine, and successfully loading the items before closing the appliance door.
While the robot’s movements were notably deliberate—taking approximately two minutes to process a single item of clothing—the autonomous nature of the device suggests that speed may be secondary to convenience. The primary appeal of a chore-focused robot lies in its ability to complete tasks while residents are away, making the total duration of a task less critical than the fact that the work is finished without human intervention.
Under the hood, the Onero H1 is powered by RealSense cameras, advanced sensors for environmental mapping, and on-device AI models. While the live demonstration focused on laundry, promotional materials from Switchbot suggest a much broader range of capabilities, including:
- Serving food and drinks
- Cleaning windows and putting away dishes
- Folding clothes and organizing living spaces
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The company also plans to offer two different hardware configurations for the robot’s extremities: a functional “claw-hand” and a more dexterous five-fingered articulated hand designed for complex manipulation tasks.
Switchbot has officially slated the Onero H1 for release in late 2026. While a final retail price has yet to be finalized, representatives indicate that the goal is to keep the cost under $10,000.
Although this price point positions the Onero H1 as a niche luxury device compared to standard smart home gadgets, it represents a significant step toward making humanoid assistance accessible for homes and small businesses. If the final production units can reliably perform the full suite of claimed tasks, the Onero H1 could mark the beginning of a transformative shift in domestic automation.
