1X's NEO robot is equipped with hands capable of sensing when a glass is slipping.

      Humanoid robots mastered walking several years ago, but they still struggle with their hands. 1X has equipped its NEO home robot with new hands, making that feature the most intriguing aspect of the unit. A robot can confidently walk across a stage while still being ineffective in a kitchen. Tasks like lifting a wet glass require precision, quick adjustments, and the control to avoid applying too much pressure.

      Wired, which had an early opportunity to assess the robot, described the fingers as “freaky fast.” While speed is an asset, what truly matters is the ability of the hand to sense what it is gripping.

      Each hand boasts 25 degrees of freedom, according to 1X: 22 for the fingers and palm, plus three in the wrist. The joints are backdrivable, allowing them to yield under pressure rather than remaining stiff, so a bump doesn’t have to evolve into a struggle.

      A crucial feature is the skin. As noted by Digital Trends, NEO’s tactile sensors are capable of detecting both pressure and lateral movement along the fingers. This enables the hand to sense when a glass begins to slip and adjust its grip before it can fall.

      The challenge with hands

      While factory robots have utilized grippers for years, these typically operate with items placed in the same location consistently. In contrast, a home environment presents varied objects that can have different shapes, weights, and may be wet or partially obscured, requiring the machine to adapt.

      1X rates the hands with an IP68 standard and claims they are made from food-safe materials, which is sensible for a device intended to work near sinks and dining plates. The fingers can bend beyond the range of a human hand and conform to unusual shapes. The specifications indicate that the hardware is prepared for household tasks.

      The limitation that’s often overlooked

      Having capable hands does not automatically translate to effectively performing household chores. NEO still needs to identify an object, select the appropriate grip, and execute the task repeatedly in a disorderly environment, all without prior setup. One well-executed demonstration cannot confirm its overall ability.

      There’s a significant caveat: for tasks that NEO is unfamiliar with, 1X provides an "Expert Mode," allowing a human operator to guide it remotely. This clever method enables remote operation of a fleet but also implies that an unknown individual could navigate a camera-equipped device throughout your home. Its autonomy remains a work in progress.

      A competitive, and subtly European, landscape

      Although 1X is now based in Palo Alto, it originally began in Norway as Halodi Robotics. As such, it is part of a broader European focus on humanoid robots, joining other regional competitors. This sector is vibrant, with some rivals suggesting that home robots should forgo legs and fingers entirely, while others believe the humanoid trend is overstated. The quest for a functional robotic hand underpins the entire discourse.

      NEO is sufficiently developed to allow for pre-orders with a $200 deposit. The hands stand out as the most compelling aspect of the offering. The next demonstration to watch should move beyond finger drumming to showcase NEO completing a routine task independently from start to finish.