The 1X Neo Robot Boasts Impressively Quick Fingers

Friendly home robots have long captured the imagination of science fiction. These gentle, helpful machines that can do tasks like laundry, take out the trash, prepare meals, and clean afterward are in high demand. However, for robots to perform these chores, they will require capable hands.

1X, a Norwegian-American robotics firm, has unveiled details about the five-finger hands on its soft, supportive robot companion, Neo.

The hands are engineered with actuators that mimic the way tendons in human arms move the hands. According to 1X, this design grants Neo’s hands 25 degrees of freedom, slightly fewer than the typical 27 degrees in human hands. Equipped with cameras and AI, the robot can understand the broader context of what its fingers are reaching for. This dexterous setup offers Neo a significant range of motion. 1X asserts that the hands can grip irregular shapes and sense when something is slipping away. Additionally, the fingers can move quickly and hyperextend in ways that human fingers cannot. With an IP68 waterproof rating, Neo is even capable of washing its own hands.

This range of motion is designed to closely match what humans can do. Jonathan Terfurth, 1X’s director of actuators and hands, notes that Neo may have even greater dexterity than a human, allowing it to perform tasks like opening doors, lifting heavy items, and plugging itself in when the battery runs low.

“You want someone to operate alongside a human who has never interacted with a robot, while ensuring the experience is safe and gentle,” Terfurth explains. “While the range of motion can be quite expansive, our goal is to align closely with human capabilities so that we can coexist in the world.”

This innovation is part of a broader moment in robotics akin to the rise of ChatGPT, where machines have evolved from clumsy claw devices to agile assistants that can handle delicate objects and efficiently manage mundane daily chores.

The humanoid robot market is often characterized by rugged, imposing machines designed for defense industry contracts. 1X is taking a different approach with Neo, which features a soft, flexible design encased in a 3D lattice shell. The design draws inspiration from characters like Baymax, the friendly robot from Disney’s Big Hero 6. Early access is available in limited quantities at a price of $20,000 or $500 monthly for home use, with the full payment option prioritizing delivery in 2026.