WIRobotics, a South Korea-based robotics company, has unveiled the upper body of its first general-purpose humanoid robot, ALLEX, at the Robot Innovation Hub on the Korea University of Technology and Education (KOREATECH) campus. The robot is designed to respond to real-world physical stimuli, incorporating human-like responsiveness in force, contact, and impact interactions.
ALLEX, which stands for “ALL-EXperience,” is equipped with a proprietary suite of mechanisms and control systems developed by WIRobotics. It includes a 15-degree-of-freedom robotic hand capable of detecting minimal forces and generating a fingertip force of up to 40 newtons. The hand, weighing approximately 700 grams, offers a hook grip strength exceeding 30 kilograms and a fingertip positional repeatability of under 0.3 millimeters.
The arm system features a high-load, low-friction actuator with over tenfold lower friction and inertia than typical collaborative robotic arms. The actuator integrates force, stiffness, and position control, while a gravity-compensated waist mechanism enables load-bearing tasks with precision and safety. The entire arm assembly weighs about 5 kilograms and is capable of handling more than 3 kilograms per arm across its operational range.
WIRobotics states that ALLEX is the first inherently compliant humanoid robot to deliver whole-body force-based interaction—across arms, fingers, and waist—without relying on conventional force sensors. This design supports dynamic, safe physical engagement with humans and is intended to reduce the simulation-to-reality gap in machine-learning-based training systems.
The company plans to evolve ALLEX into a modular platform, offering components such as arms, hands, and control systems independently or in combinations, and aims to initiate field testing across various industrial and service sectors. WIRobotics has partnered with physical AI firm RLWRLD to advance the robot’s intelligence and is collaborating with institutions including MIT, UIUC, UMass, KIST, and Maxon to develop applications and support commercialization.
Founded in 2021 by former engineers from Samsung’s Robotics Development Team, WIRobotics focuses on wearable and humanoid robotic technologies. The company previously introduced the WIBS industrial support robot and the WIM mobility-assist robot, both of which received CES Innovation Awards. It also operates a public robotic gait training center and secured KRW 13 billion in Series A funding in 2024. WIRobotics opened its Robot Innovation Hub in June 2024 to support research collaborations and the development of general-purpose robotic systems.
