Humanoid robotics company 1X has unveiled a new 25 degree of freedom (DoF), tendon driven hand for its NEO humanoid robot, marking a major step toward human level dexterity. Featuring 22 fully actuated joints in the fingers and palm, plus three at the wrist, the hands combine force control, tactile sensing and backdrivable tendon mechanisms to enable precise, adaptive manipulation.

The IP68 waterproof, food safe hands can perform a wide range of everyday tasks, from assembling LEGO, picking up screws and coins, and plugging in USB-C cables to pouring tea, using tools and communicating through sign language. High resolution tactile sensors detect pressure, contact location and shear, allowing the robot to respond to slipping objects in real time while handling delicate items safely. 

Manufactured in house on a dedicated production line, the company says it has the capacity to produce up to 10,000 hands this year, supporting the large scale deployment and data collection needed to advance embodied AI.