ALLEX

ALLEX, developed by WIRobotics, a South Korean robotics company founded in 2021 by former Samsung engineers, represents a significant advancement in general-purpose humanoid robotics. Unveiled in August 2025 as a modular upper-body prototype at the Robot Innovation Hub, ALLEX stands for 'ALL-EXperience,' emphasizing its ability to respond to real-world physical stimuli beyond traditional visual or positional control. The robot features inherently compliant mechanisms that enable whole-body force sensing and compliance across its arms, 15-DOF hands, and waist without relying on dedicated force/torque sensors, drastically reducing the sim-to-real gap for machine learning-based training and autonomy. Architecturally, ALLEX's upper body—from shoulder to waist—weighs approximately 5 kg, combining lightweight design with high payload capacity. Each human-sized hand boasts 15 degrees of freedom (DOF), weighing about 700 g, yet capable of fingertip forces up to 40 N, hook grips exceeding 30 kg, and repeatability of 0.3 mm or better. This is achieved through proprietary ultra-low-friction, high-load electric actuators that are highly backdrivable, exhibiting over 10 times lower friction and rotational inertia compared to conventional collaborative robots. A novel motor-control algorithm integrates position, force, and stiffness control, while gravity compensation in the waist and torso ensures energy-efficient, smooth operations even under heavy loads (over 3 kg per hand across the full workspace). The system employs a high-speed EtherCAT network for coordinating up to 48 DOF, enabling precise, real-time control. Sensors include high-precision joint encoders for motion feedback, with inherent compliance providing tactile-like force detection as low as 100 gf. Compute involves onboard processors optimized for advanced AI motion and force control algorithms, supporting closed-source software with machine learning integration. In terms of AI, WIRobotics has a strategic partnership with RLWRLD for LLM integration, aiming to enhance autonomy, decision-making, and task generalization. Collaborations with MIT, UIUC, UMass, KIST, and Maxon further bolster AI development and actuator tech. While currently a prototype focused on upper-body manipulation, ALLEX demonstrates capabilities like micro-pick and fastening, safe human-robot interaction (HRI), delicate tasks (e.g., buttoning shirts, folding laundry), and heavy lifting. Real-world deployment history is nascent, as ALLEX was unveiled recently. No commercial deployments yet; it's positioned for industry demonstrations in manufacturing, services, logistics, home assistance, and cleaning. WIRobotics plans modular commercialization (arms, hands, body separately) and a full general-purpose humanoid platform by 2030. Recent showcases include CES 2026 Unveiled, where ALLEX held the WIM S wearable device. Its design prioritizes safe, dynamic HRI, making it suitable for co-working environments, with main markets in commercial cleaning, home service, and logistics. Overall, ALLEX sets a benchmark for compliant, dexterous humanoids bridging precision and strength.