The dream of creating a robot that doesn’t just move like a human but also reacts to the world around it in a natural way has been alive for decades. We’ve all seen robots in movies that can shake hands, cook meals, or even play musical instruments. But turning that dream into something real, practical, and useful in our daily lives is a much harder task than it looks on screen.
That’s why the introduction of ALLEX is such a big deal. Unlike the many robots we’ve seen that simply follow pre-programmed movements or rely only on visual sensors, ALLEX is designed to feel the world around it. It can sense force, touch, and even impact—reacting in ways that are safe, precise, and flexible. This makes it a huge step forward in how we think about robots and their role in our lives.
Let’s take a closer look at WIRobotics ALLEX, how it works, and why it might be the robot that changes the way we live with machines.
Meet WIRobotics ALLEX
ALLEX stands for “ALL-EXperience”, and the name says it all. This humanoid robot has been built not just to move like a person, but to truly interact with the world. It’s the first robot from WIRobotics to be shown publicly, and it was unveiled at the Robot Innovation Hub at Korea University of Technology and Education (KOREATECH).
The upper body of ALLEX was the star of the show. From its advanced robotic hands to its smooth and natural arm movements, it demonstrated a level of flexibility and sensitivity that most robots simply don’t have. What makes ALLEX stand out is not just how it looks, but how it responds. It’s able to react to real-world forces, like a push or a pull, and adjust its movements in a human-like way.
For anyone who has watched robots in the past struggle with rigid, awkward motions, this is a refreshing change. ALLEX doesn’t just imitate people—it adapts to them.
Why WIRobotics ALLEX Is Different
Most robots today focus on visual recognition and position control. In simple words, they “see” their surroundings and then try to move based on what they detect. But real human interaction is not just about seeing. It’s about feeling. When you pick up a fragile glass, you don’t just look at it—you sense how much pressure your fingers are applying. ALLEX does the same thing.
Thanks to its unique design, ALLEX can respond to touch, force, and even unexpected impact. For example, if someone bumps into it, instead of falling over or moving stiffly, it can adjust its posture naturally. This makes it far more suitable for real-life situations, whether that’s working alongside people in a factory or helping someone at home.
The technology inside ALLEX gives it smoother and safer movements, reducing friction and allowing it to control its force with incredible precision. This means it can handle tasks that were once too delicate or too risky for robots.
The Hands That Feel Like Ours
One of ALLEX’s most impressive features is its robotic hands. Each hand has 15 degrees of freedom, which simply means it can move in many different ways, almost like a real human hand. These hands are not only flexible but also sensitive. They can detect even very small forces—down to about the weight of a light object in your hand.
What’s even more amazing is the strength these hands pack. Despite being lightweight at just around 700 grams, they can lift heavy objects with precision. They are capable of gripping with the power needed to handle more than 30 kilograms, yet they can still hold something as delicate as a thin piece of paper without crushing it.
This balance of strength and gentleness is what makes ALLEX’s hands a true breakthrough. They open the door to robots that can help with everyday activities, from preparing food to assisting elderly people with tasks that require both power and care.
Smooth Arms and a Flexible Body
The arms on WIRobotics ALLEX are another highlight. Traditional robot arms are often heavy and clunky, but ALLEX’s arms are designed to be ten times smoother and lighter than what you usually find. This makes them easier to control and safer to use around humans.
The upper body has also been designed with something called gravity compensation. This means the robot can move more freely without wasting energy or becoming unstable. Together, the arms and body make ALLEX capable of handling heavy loads while still moving naturally and safely.
This flexibility is not just for show. It allows ALLEX to perform a wide variety of tasks, from lifting objects in industrial settings to helping out in homes where it might need to interact closely with people.
Whole-Body Control
Another key feature of ALLEX is something called whole-body force control. That might sound technical, but here’s what it means: the robot can control not just its fingers or arms, but its entire body when it interacts with the world.
If you lean on it or give it something to hold, ALLEX doesn’t just react in one spot—it adjusts throughout its entire body. This makes it much more stable, safe, and natural in its movements.
Even better, ALLEX can do this without needing tons of extra sensors. Its design is inherently responsive, which means it naturally adapts without relying on complicated add-ons. This is a big advantage when it comes to reliability and cost.
Designed for Real-Life Applications
So, what can ALLEX actually do? The potential uses are wide-ranging. Because it can interact safely with humans, it could find a place in industries like Manufacturing, Service industries, and Home use.
The key here is that ALLEX is not just a lab experiment. It’s a robot designed to step out into the real world and make a difference in everyday life.
Built for the Future
WIRobotics doesn’t just see ALLEX as a single robot. The company has big plans to turn it into a modular platform. That means different parts of ALLEX, like its arms or hands, could be sold separately or combined in different ways depending on the need.
This flexibility makes ALLEX more than just a robot. It’s a foundation for a new generation of humanoid machines. Over time, as the technology becomes more advanced and affordable, we might see ALLEX or robots like it in many different industries—and even in our homes.
Partnerships and Collaboration
To make ALLEX even smarter, WIRobotics has teamed up with RLWRLD, a startup focused on artificial intelligence. Together, they’re working on giving ALLEX the intelligence it needs to understand and respond to the world in even more advanced ways.
The company is also collaborating with some of the most respected research institutions in the world, including MIT, UIUC, UMass, and Korea’s KIST. These partnerships are helping ALLEX grow not just as a single project but as part of a global effort to push robotics forward.
The Vision of WIRobotics
Behind ALLEX is the vision of WIRobotics, a company founded in 2021 by four former engineers from Samsung’s robotics team. Their goal has always been simple but powerful: technology for people.
In just a few years, they’ve already achieved impressive milestones. They created wearable robots like the WIBS back-support robot and the WIM mobility-assist robot, both of which won international awards. They also launched Korea’s first Wearable Robot Gait Training Center, helping people improve their walking health with robotic support.
Now, with ALLEX, they’re taking their mission even further. By 2030, they aim to create a general-purpose humanoid robot platform that anyone can use in daily life. It’s an ambitious goal, but given their track record, it seems well within reach.
A New Era of Robots
ALLEX is not just another robot, it represents a new era. Robots are no longer limited to labs, factories, or science fiction. With designs like this, they’re moving closer to being part of our everyday world.
Imagine a future where robots like ALLEX help care for aging populations, work alongside humans in industries, or even take on some of the repetitive tasks at home. That future feels much closer now.
As Co-CEO Yong-Jae Kim put it: “ALLEX goes beyond merely replicating human movement—it is the first robot that truly experiences and responds to the real world.”
That’s a bold statement, but one that captures the spirit of what WIRobotics is trying to achieve. ALLEX is not just built to impress—it’s built to serve people in practical, meaningful ways.
Conclusion
The unveiling of ALLEX is more than just a showcase of advanced engineering—it’s a glimpse into how we might soon live and work with robots every day. By combining sensitivity, precision, strength, and flexibility, ALLEX is redefining what humanoid robots can do.
With companies like WIRobotics leading the way, the future where robots assist us in homes, hospitals, and workplaces doesn’t seem far away. ALLEX is a powerful reminder that robots aren’t just machines—they can be companions, helpers, and partners in our lives.
The age of humanoid robots is just beginning, and ALLEX may very well be the one that opens the door to it.
SOURCE: WIRobotics
