1X Reveals Humanoid Robotic Hands That Can Pour Tea, Zip Jackets, and Sort Grapes

Norwegian robotics company 1X Technologies announced a new 25-degree-of-freedom tendon-driven robotic hand for its NEO humanoid robot, describing it as a breakthrough in dexterity, precision, safety and durability. The company said the redesigned hands remove a key hardware limitation that has long held back humanoid robots. According to 1X, each hand uses 22 actuated joints across the fingers and palm while three additional joints control the wrist. All 25 joints are force-controlled and backdrivable, meaning the fingers can respond to outside pressure rather than simply following preset movement commands. High-resolution tactile sensors detect pressure, contact location and sideways shear forces. Built-in proprioception tracks the position of each joint, allowing NEO to monitor its hand movements without depending entirely on cameras. In demonstrations shared by 1X, the hands assembled LEGO models, handled screws and coins, used tools, connected USB-C cables, zipped clothing and caught soft balls. The hardware is IP68-rated for water resistance and built with food-safe materials. "Our goal was never a hand that just looks impressive on paper. These hands are the culmination of intensive engineering focused on making humanoids truly useful," Bernt Børnich, CEO and founder of 1X, said on its website. "With these hands, NEO crosses a critical threshold. The robot can now do the things humans do with their hands, every day. This is what the industry has been waiting for." The company manufactures the motors, tendons, electronics, tactile sensors and soft polymer skin in-house and says a dedicated production line can produce up to 10,000 robotic hands this year.