Robots that walk around the house are no longer science fiction. But the real challenge isn’t moving—it’s what the robot’s hands can do. The company 1X is tackling that problem head-on with its new home robot called NEO. What sets NEO apart are its advanced hands that can actually feel and manipulate objects.
Each of NEO’s hands has 25 degrees of freedom. That means 22 joints work across the fingers and palm, while three more control the wrist. These aren’t stiff robot claws. The joints are backdrivable, so they give way when pushed instead of staying rigid. This makes the hands safer and more flexible when handling fragile items.
The hands are wrapped in tactile skin that senses pressure and sideways movement. This lets NEO know when something is slipping, like a glass starting to slide out of its grip. The robot can then tighten its hold before the glass falls. The hands’ sensors give NEO a kind of touch sense that other home robots lack.
Built for Real Chores
The hands can bend beyond the normal human range. This lets them wrap around awkward shapes, like oddly shaped containers or kitchen tools. They’re also rated IP68, meaning they’re dustproof and waterproof. Plus, all materials used are food-safe, so NEO can handle your dishes or food items safely.
1X says the hardware is ready for chores. But NEO still needs to learn how to spot objects, pick the right grip, and repeat tasks without setup. That means it’s not fully autonomous yet. To help, 1X offers an “Expert Mode.” In this mode, a human operator can guide the robot remotely, teaching it how to handle tricky tasks.
From Norway to Silicon Valley
1X began as Halodi Robotics in Norway before moving its base to Palo Alto. The company ranks the hands as the most convincing part of its pitch. While many robots can walk or move, 1X believes the hands are what will make NEO useful in everyday homes.
Right now, you can pre-order NEO with a $200 deposit. The next big demo should show the robot finishing a regular household chore on its own. That means no finger drumming or simple tests—just a full task from start to finish.
In short, NEO’s hands bring robots closer to real help around the house. The ability to feel and adjust grip is a big step past basic movement. Soon, robots might not just walk—they’ll handle your stuff with care.
Based on
- Home robots already walk. 1X’s new hands try to solve the part that actually matters — thenextweb.com
- Watch 1X’s NEO robot try out a new pair of dexterous hands. | The Verge — theverge.com
- The 1X Neo Robot Has Freaky Fast Fingers | WIRED — wired.com
- OpenAI is making its biggest play for the office | Business Insider Africa — africa.businessinsider.com
- Nvlink Fusion Optics Push Past the Copper Wall – IEEE Spectrum — spectrum.ieee.org
