Dexterity

Pioneering roboticist Rodney Brooks argues current humanoids will fail to learn true dexterity, citing a lack of touch sensing. Other experts counter, suggesting that even limited capability will unlock immense value, sparking a debate over the industry's path forward.

Humanoid robotics expert Scott Walter and hand surgeon Gustav Andersson analyze the new 20-DOF robotic hand from China’s Wuji Tech, praising its direct-drive actuation as a significant departure from tendon-based systems and a major step forward in closing the sim-to-real gap.

Shenzhen-based Wuji Tech has unveiled its first-generation robotic hand, a lightweight, 20-degree-of-freedom manipulator designed for humanoid robots that emphasizes both high performance and cost-effectiveness.

Logistics giant UPS is reportedly in discussions with humanoid robotics startup Figure AI about potentially deploying its robots for tasks within UPS's network. While details are scarce and unconfirmed, the talks reflect growing interest in using human-like robots for flexible automation in logistics.

US efforts to build a competitive humanoid robotics industry are facing complications from tariffs on Chinese goods. Many critical components for these advanced robots are sourced from China, and the new levies risk increasing costs and slowing US progress relative to state-supported Chinese firms.