See the eerie accuracy of this robot's lifelike fingers

The Rise of Humanoid Robots in South Korea

Another day, another breakthrough in the world of humanoid robots. While countries like the United States and China continue to push the boundaries with companies such as Boston Dynamics, Figure, Unitree, and EngineAI, South Korea is also making a name for itself in this rapidly evolving field. Among the rising stars in this arena is WIRobotics, a company founded four years ago by former engineers from Samsung’s robotics development team.

This week, WIRobotics unveiled ALLEX, short for “All EXperience,” a humanoid robot that promises to deliver human-like whole-body force sensing and compliance across its arms, fingers, and waist. Although the lower body of the robot has not yet been revealed, the initial design is already impressive.

A video showcasing ALLEX features a head equipped with multiple cameras and sensors, as well as hands that move with remarkable speed and precision. These spidery fingers can mimic human-like motion, which may be unsettling for some but undeniably impressive. This level of technology could one day find applications in precision manufacturing or even advanced prosthetics.

The hands of ALLEX are designed to sense forces similar to how humans do, allowing them to respond appropriately to external loads. Additionally, the robot’s arms have more than 10 times lower friction and rotational inertia compared to traditional collaborative robot arms. This means that when someone interacts physically with the robot, it will feel more natural and intuitive.

WIRobotics is focused on developing humanlike interaction capabilities, and the team claims that ALLEX sets a new benchmark for humanoid robots. It goes beyond simply replicating human movement, aiming to create a robot that truly experiences and responds to the real world.

To achieve this, the company is working with an AI startup to enhance ALLEX's artificial intelligence capabilities. They are also collaborating with leading research institutions and companies both within South Korea and internationally.

Yong-Jae Kim, co-CEO and CTO of WIRobotics, emphasized the significance of ALLEX in a recent statement. He said, "ALLEX goes beyond merely replicating human movement — it’s the first robot that truly experiences and responds to the real world."

Looking ahead, the team at WIRobotics hopes to launch a general-purpose humanoid robot within the next five years. This robot would be designed for everyday use, presumably including a fully functional lower body.

As the competition in the humanoid robot space intensifies, companies like WIRobotics are demonstrating that innovation is not limited to any single country. With their focus on creating robots that can interact naturally with humans, they are setting the stage for a future where humanoid robots play a more significant role in daily life.