Singapore-based startup Sharpa Robotics generated major buzz at CES 2026 with its new humanoid robot and its highly dexterous end effectors.
The wheeled humanoid, North, stunned observers with a series of demos showcasing its capabilities as a ping pong player, as an interactive robotic receptionist, a card dealer, and a photographer. Its most viral demo featured the robot autonomously assembling a paper windmill on the show floor. While simple in appearance, the task required the humanoid to complete more than 30 sequential manipulation steps and maintain precision without human control.
According to Sharpa, the feat was made possible with its self-developed vision-tactile-language-action (VLTA) model, specifically geared toward tasks requiring fine manipulation. CraftNet is built to handle physical interactions step by step and adapt its behaviors as contact conditions change.
Sharpa’s robotic hand, known as SharpaWave, boasts a reported 22 degrees of freedom (DoF), which is in the upper echelon of end effectors entering the market today. The dexterity matches the reported specs of the third-generation Tesla Optimus humanoid’s hand that Elon Musk spent most of 2025 hyping up.
Each fingertip has more than 1,000 touch sensors so it can feel extremely light or firm pressure. It picks up details smaller than a millimeter, which is about the size of a grain of salt, the edge of a sheet of paper, or a strand of human hair. The tactile sensors send updated data on pressure, texture, and force readings up to 180 times per second to the SharpaWave’s artificial intelligence. The AI system uses that stream of data to make split-second decisions on how to move or adjust itself.
With 30 N of fingertip force, the SharpaWave can firmly grasp tools, lift common objects, and manipulate parts in industrial or lab settings. It can open and close its fingertips more than four times per second, almost matching the speed of human digits. Thanks to its fine-touch sensors, the SharpaWave can adjust its grip instantly to avoid crushing fragile items.
Sharpa says it’s begun mass producing its SharpaWave hands but has not publicly disclosed pricing.
The SharpaWave is one of many advanced robotic hands going to market in 2025. Humanlike end effectors are seen as key to making autonomous robots useful in everyday life. With five-fingered dexterity, the machines can use the same tools and controls designed by, and for, people.