Unveiling their innovative creation, New York-based Tuesday Labs introduces Voxel Series-1, a semi-autonomous “voxel robot butler” designed to tackle household chores while sidestepping the “uncanny valley.” Developed to seamlessly blend into domestic environments, it works through a mix of autonomous intelligence and teleoperation to perform tasks such as plant watering and crumb sweeping.
Sporting a vibrant matte plastic shell, the droid stands at counter height with cuboid body parts, LED eyes, and 1-DOF grippers. The design, influenced by everyday household items, aims to evoke charm and capability without mimicking human form. Tuesday Labs founder Rosalind Shinkle worked with former Pixar character designer Alonso Martinez to perfect Voxel’s engaging design.
The Voxel Robot Butler’s Unique Design
“We deliberately steered clear of creating a humanoid figure,” Shinkle explains. “Voxel is small and cuboid, serving as a distinctively droid butler, far from a human butler’s impression. This design choice ensures Voxel avoids any eerie human resemblance and operates as a functional, believable character within the home.”
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Voxel’s design adheres to five core principles: seamless home integration, maximalist aesthetics, simplicity, luxury, and a sense of playfulness. The concept of “affordance matching” further ensures that the household robot’s capabilities are immediately apparent to users, minimizing the gap between expectation and functionality.
Constructed with lightweight materials, the robot’s external design communicates quality while remaining practical. As a high-end product, its estimated price sits at $20,000, making it initially available to select early adopters eager to help fine-tune the robot’s software.
Shinkle finds personal motivation in her aversion to household chores. “Robots like Voxel are destined for homes. My goal was to create a robot I’d welcome into my own life,” she says. “I’d rather solve the problem of cleaning once and for all than endure it daily.”
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Powered by a rechargeable battery, the voxel butler charges at a home docking station, reinforcing its role in a user’s daily routine. Tuesday Labs was founded in 2025 by Shinkle, a former Boston Dynamics engineer, and focuses on building robots that naturally and joyfully integrate into everyday life using groundbreaking robotics technology.
The creation of the Series-1 is part of a broader trend, where advances in technology make diverse robot designs more achievable. This movement includes other notable releases like Neo by 1X Technologies and CLOiD by LG.
Source: dezeen.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Voxel and who created it?
Voxel is a semi-autonomous robot butler designed to handle household chores like plant watering and crumb sweeping. It was created by Tuesday Labs, a company based in New York, under the guidance of founder Rosalind Shinkle.
Why does Voxel have a cuboid design?
Voxel has a cuboid design to avoid the uncanny resemblance to humans and ensure it functions as a believable and charming character in the home. This design choice was made intentionally to integrate seamlessly into domestic environments without mimicking human form.
How much does the Voxel robot butler cost?
The Voxel robot butler is a high-end product with an estimated price of $20,000. It is initially available to select early adopters who are eager to help fine-tune the robot’s software.
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