This Robot Might Have The Best Hands Of Any Humanoid Ever

A humanoid robot just showed off hands that move faster than any competitor's — and that speed could finally make robotic workers practical for real-world jobs. Norwegian robotics startup 1X demonstrated its Neo humanoid with hands that can grip, twist, and manipulate objects at a pace that rivals human dexterity, a milestone that industry observers say brings general-purpose labor robots closer to commercial reality.

1X, formerly known as Halodi Robotics, unveiled Neo at a private event in Oslo, showcasing hands capable of performing intricate tasks like tying knots, assembling small components, and handling fragile objects without crushing them. Company founder and CEO Bernt Børnich called the hands 'the most advanced ever built for a humanoid platform.' The demonstration included a timed test where Neo assembled a ballpoint pen in under 30 seconds, faster than previous records set by other robots.

The breakthrough stems from a novel actuator design that combines high torque with precise force sensing, allowing the fingers to adjust grip strength in real time. Each hand has 12 degrees of freedom — more than the Shadow Robot Hand used in research labs but packaged in a lighter, more durable frame suitable for continuous operation. 1X claims the hands can exert up to 5 kg of pinch force while maintaining millimeter-level positioning accuracy.

Neo itself stands 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs approximately 75 kg, with a battery life of up to 6 hours under moderate workloads. 1X has not disclosed pricing but aims to lease the robot to logistics and manufacturing companies starting in 2027. The company has raised over $150 million from investors including Tiger Global and OpenAI's startup fund, positioning it as a top contender in the humanoid robotics race alongside Tesla's Optimus and Figure AI.

'Hands are the biggest technical bottleneck in humanoid robotics,' says Dr. Sarah Chen, a robotics professor at MIT. '1X has managed to achieve speed and sensitivity that we previously thought was years away. If they can mass-produce these reliably, the impact on warehouse and assembly line work could be enormous.' Chen notes that most existing humanoids use suction cups or simple grippers, limiting their usefulness to repetitive pick-and-place tasks.

The next milestone for 1X is scaling production. The company plans to open a factory in southern Norway later this year with an initial capacity of 500 units per year. Analysts predict that if Neo's hands perform as advertised, demand could quickly outstrip supply, forcing 1X to accelerate its timeline. The broader market for humanoid robots is expected to reach $15 billion by 2030, with hands being the critical differentiator.