- Hangzhou-based Xynova introduces a second-generation robotic hand with hybrid actuation and 23 degrees of freedom
- The company will debut the system at ICRA 2026 in Austria as it scales production capacity
Hangzhou-based embodied intelligence startup Xynova Future (曦诺未来) has unveiled its second-generation dexterous robotic hand, the Xynova Flex 2, via a video demonstration, marking a technical upgrade as competition intensifies in high-precision robotic manipulation.
The new model adopts a hybrid “tendon plus direct drive” architecture and features 23 degrees of freedom—two less than the predecessor—with improvements across sensing capability, manipulation precision and motion control.
Xynova said it will present the Flex 2 offline at the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA 2026) on June 2 in Vienna, Austria, where the system will face direct benchmarking against global peers.
ICRA is widely regarded as one of the most influential conferences in robotics, and the upcoming showcase will be the first public demonstration of the system. This year’s event will run from June 1-5.
Compared with the Flex 1, which employs a pure tendon-driven design with 25 degrees of freedom, a 380-gram palm weight and a payload capacity above 30 kilograms, the Flex 2 introduces a hybrid actuation system aimed at improving torque transmission efficiency and control stability.
Based on the demonstration video, the Flex 2 appears to incorporate planetary roller screws in its finger actuation system to convert rotary motion into linear movement.
However, the company has not disclosed key performance metrics including weight, payload capacity or fingertip force, which are expected to be revealed at ICRA.
Full-stack developer
Founded in 2024, Xynova positions itself as a full-stack developer of general-purpose dexterous manipulation systems, spanning sensing, decision-making and high-precision execution.
The company claims its place among a small number of domestic players that develop core components purely in-house, including motors, control systems, algorithms, screws and reducers.
In March, Xynova completed a multi-hundred-million-yuan pre-Series A round of financing led by an undisclosed major internet company, with existing investors including Xiaomi’s venture arm increasing their stakes.
Xynova is currently ramping up production at a new facility and expects annual capacity to exceed 10,000 high-degree-of-freedom robotic hands and 200,000 micro linear actuators by the end of 2026.
