Headline: Xynova Emerges as a Leader in Dexterous Robotics in China
HANGZHOU, China – September 23, 2026 – The competition to bring embodied AI to commercial use is heating up, and a new player in China’s robotics scene, Xynova, is making waves with its innovative work on advanced robotic hands. Founded in 2024, Xynova achieved unicorn status in just under two years. In a recent interview, CEO Alex Xia highlighted a significant challenge in the robotics industry: many developers struggle with the lack of high-performance, dexterous hands, which are crucial for real-world applications.
There is a pressing need for production-ready dexterous hands that can perform reliably outside laboratory settings. Xynova tackles this issue head-on with its integrated research and development and manufacturing processes, offering both hybrid-drive and direct-drive dexterous hands to meet differing needs.
The company produces key components in-house, such as motors, electronic controls, reducers, and lead screws. It also designs the mechanical architecture and develops the sensing systems and control algorithms for their hands. This comprehensive approach helps overcome the common industry difficulties related to performance, reliability, and longevity.
The team at Xynova combines academic backgrounds from prestigious institutions like Columbia University and Tsinghua University with practical experience from major tech companies including Apple and DJI. This mix of knowledge enables them to manage every step from concept and design to manufacturing and distribution effectively.
Xynova is currently focusing on two technology pathways: hybrid-drive dexterous hands aimed at industrial and consumer markets and direct-drive versions designed for advanced research in embodied AI.
In June 2026, the company introduced the Flex 2 at the ICRA conference — the first-ever 23-joint (DoF) hybrid-drive dexterous hand, remarkably lightweight at just 400 grams. In August, they followed this up at the WRC in Beijing with the launch of Prima 1, a 22-joint hand optimized for research, allowing precise control and data gathering.
The two products cater to specific needs: Prima 1 is intended for researchers engaged in experimentation and model training, while Flex 2 is built for reliability and high-efficiency in real-world applications. This dual approach creates a continuous feedback loop, where research informs data collection, which in turn fosters further product development.
Xynova is attracting interest from both research institutions and industrial businesses, showing that its strategy resonates with various market segments. The company has already received significant orders from prominent AI developers and tech firms globally.
To meet the rising demand, Xynova has opened a new 5,400-square-meter manufacturing facility in Hangzhou, ensuring they can fulfill orders to clients around the world.
With its innovative technologies and clear growth plan, Xynova has secured RMB 1.5 billion (approximately USD 220 million) from leading investors like CATL and Xiaomi, who not only provide funding but also offer access to valuable real-world applications for testing.
Having recently showcased at prominent events such as ICRA and WAIC, Xynova plans to present its products at the upcoming IROS 2026 in Pittsburgh. They welcome researchers, industry partners, and media to see their key innovations in action.
From laboratory studies to real-life solutions, Xynova envisions making dexterous manipulation a versatile skill for robots in a variety of tasks and settings. Their overarching mission is reflected in their tagline: “Xynova dexterous hand. Precision in production. Ease in life.”
About Xynova
Xynova is a leading provider specializing in dexterous manipulation solutions, focused on creating high-joint robotic hands and control systems for humanoid robots.
