1HMX presents the immersive machine control system Nexus NX1: Teleoperation with Virtual Reality and whole-body control system

Science fiction becomes reality: 1HMX unveils first whole-body control system for global industry

For a long time, virtual reality (VR) was primarily considered a playground for the entertainment industry or a niche tool for design studies. However, in 2025, driven by an acute global shortage of skilled workers and massive advances in haptic technology, a fundamental shift is taking place: virtual control is becoming the physical reality of production.

With the introduction of the Nexus NX1, 1HMX presents far more than just a new technical gadget. It is a complex integration achievement that unites market-leading technologies – from the microfluidic HaptX Gloves G1 and the Virtuix Omni One treadmill to the innovative Freeaim shoes – into a single operational ecosystem. This system promises nothing less than to spatially decouple the human operator from the machine without sacrificing fine motor skills or sensory feedback.

The economic indicators speak for themselves: With the market for teleoperated robot systems projected to grow to over four billion US dollars by 2032, the industry is responding to the pressure of rising labor costs and demographic gaps. The Nexus NX1 exemplifies this trend – moving away from mere automation and towards a hybrid symbiosis in which human cognitive abilities and robot-assisted execution merge in real time across continents.

The following article analyzes the technological architecture of this “whole-body presence”, highlights the massive economic drivers behind this development, and takes a critical look at the social and military implications of a world in which work is no longer tied to a specific location.

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Immersive machine control on the threshold of industrial transformation: The Nexus NX1 as a catalyst for the human-machine interface

When virtual reality becomes production reality – The transformative use of whole-body control systems in the global manufacturing industry

In the current phase of industrial transformation, characterized by digital disruption, breakthroughs in automation technology, and the increasing scarcity of skilled labor, a new quality of production organization is emerging at the interfaces between virtual and physical reality. The Nexus NX1 system, unveiled by 1HMX in November 2025, manifests not merely a technological innovation, but rather a structural break in the architecture of human-machine interaction, with profound implications for the future of work, productivity, and global competitiveness.

The economic realities of the labor market have fundamentally intensified over the past five years. The global market for teleoperated robot systems is estimated to reach approximately US$890 million in 2025 and is projected to grow to over US$4 billion by 2032. This represents an annual growth rate of roughly 22 percent and reflects not primarily a fad or speculative bubble, but rather the economically enforced adjustment to a reality of persistent skills shortages, rising labor costs, and pressure to geographically relocate manufacturing capacity. The parallel market for humanoid robots, estimated at US$1.68 billion in 2023, is expected to grow to US$23.73 billion by 2032, corresponding to an average annual growth rate of 34.2 percent. This synchronous expansion of two complementary technology sectors signals a sectoral realignment of considerable dimensions.

The significance of this market development lies not in the mere numbers, but in its structure. It demonstrates that companies globally are investing in teleoperated systems to such an extent that the associated infrastructure investments, training costs, and organizational changes appear economically viable. This represents a break with previous generations of industrial automation, dominated by fully autonomous or fully manually operated systems. The new paradigm is based on hybrid, human-centered models of machine control.

The technological architecture of whole-body presence: A differentiated view of integration

The Nexus NX1 system is fundamentally not a new development, but rather an intelligent convergence of existing, separate technology components into a coherent, modular system. This distinction is crucial: the system does not represent the classic type of innovation in fundamental technology, but rather an integration innovation that brings together disparate sub-functions into a closed operational pipeline.

The infrastructure is divided into three primary technological layers. The first layer focuses on tactile feedback through the so-called HaptX Gloves G1. These data gloves function according to a sophisticated engineering system: Each glove incorporates 135 microchambers into which fluid is injected under high pressure. This process—technically termed microfluidic control—creates an inward deformation of the skin surface by approximately one and a half millimeters. The biological processing mechanism of the human proprioceptive system interprets this microdeformation as tactile contact with an object. Simultaneously, vibrotactile feedback simulates the surface texture of virtual objects, while artificial tendons with up to 3.6 kilograms of resistance per finger encode the geometry and mass of virtual artifacts.

The significance of this microfluidic architecture lies in its ability to replicate tactile sensations with a precision and realism unmatched by conventional vibration motors and electrotactile stimulation systems. For example, a user can fully differentiate the surface texture of a metallic workpiece, its temperature characteristics, or its elasticity as if physically holding the object. This is not merely a hedonistic enhancement, but an operational advantage: when remotely controlling complex manipulation tasks—such as in surgical precision work, the assembly of precision components, or the repair of delicate equipment—this tactile fidelity is not optional, but systemically essential.

The second layer of technological integration addresses locomotion in virtual space. Virtuix's Omni One omnidirectional treadmill is based on a kinematic principle that has been empirically validated for over a decade. The user stands on a circular, low-friction surface and wears special shoes with corresponding low-friction soles. Their position is constantly tracked by sensors, and an intelligent belt device to which the user is attached geometrically recenters them if they drift toward the periphery of the platform. This solves a fundamental problem of virtual reality locomotion: the so-called "simulator sickness," a state of disorientation. The decoupling between visually and vestibularly perceived movement—the eye sees the avatar running several kilometers while the physical body remains stationary—creates neurological interference patterns that lead to nausea, disorientation, and cognitive paralysis in many users. The Omni-One system mitigates this problem by encouraging the user to reproduce natural biomechanical movement patterns, rather than conveying virtual movements via abstract control elements (joystick, touchscreen).

The third layer focuses on locomotion optimization through Freeaim shoes. These motorized shoes operate on an even newer principle: they are equipped with omnidirectional wheel modules integrated under the soles of the feet that rotate automatically when the user walks. This enables locomotion even without an external treadmill, but with significantly optimized results when combined with the Omni-One platform. Freeaim technology reached market maturity in 2025 after a successful Kickstarter campaign, in which the British startup raised €280,000. The shoes are available in two versions: the more affordable "Light" version only allows for pre-directional walking and requires an external support frame, while the "Advanced" version is equipped with automatic lateral position corrections and independently compensates for drift-inducing movements, making it functional even without a frame in spaces as small as 1.5 by 1.5 meters.

The fourth, but often overlooked, layer is the whole-body tracking system with 72 degrees of freedom. This means the system captures a high-resolution skeletal image of the user—not just rough limb positions, but micro-anatomical details such as finger joints, vertebral spaces, and pelvic tilts. This millimeter-precise data capture enables the detailed replication of movement patterns in the virtual or teleported domain. A technician working on a remote robotic arm can not only move their gripping instruments, but also incorporate the subtlest nuances of their posture, weight shifts, and even unconscious anticipatory micro-movements into the robot's control system.

Functional hierarchy and operational logic: From sensor technology to control

The operational logic of the Nexus NX1 follows a two-part paradigm: afferent and efferent data flow in real-time processing. The afferent component—that is, the sensory feedback to the user—is structured in multiple layers. During remote control of a robot or virtual manipulation, information about pressure distribution on the palms, foot contact with the ground, the position of the body's center of gravity, and the geometry of grasping tools is continuously acquired and tactilely fed back to the operator. This extends across areas ranging from molecular surface properties (texture) to macroscopic forces (weight, resistance).

The efferent component—the user's control commands—is inputted through natural movement patterns. A user does not access abstract commands but reproduces the movements they would perform in the physical world. This has profound ergonomic and neuropsychological consequences. Human motor control is a highly parallel, widely distributed system based on millions of years of evolutionary optimization. When a technology interface bypasses this natural control mechanism and instead requires abstract commands, conceptual delays, increased cognitive load, and systematic performance degradation result. Conversely, when the interface implements natural motor stereotypes, this massive biological optimization investment is mobilized. The neuroplastic adaptation time is dramatically reduced.

A concrete application example from industrial practice illustrates this logic: A technician needs to repair a faulty component in a distributed production plant. Using traditional remote control methods—a flat monitor, a menu-based user interface, and delayed visual feedback—this process can take hours, is prone to errors, and requires intense cognitive concentration. With the Nexus NX1 system, the same technician wears the complete immersive sensory system: He is "present" in the remote environment, as far as human perception allows. His movements are projected one-to-one onto the remotely controlled machine, and his tactile perception provides continuous feedback on the condition of the manipulated objects. This multiplication of sensory channels leads to a reduction in the error rate, an acceleration of task completion, and a psychological reduction in frustration.

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Economic determinants of integration: market logic and industrial strategy

Why did 1HMX choose to undertake this integration now, in 2025? The superficial answer points to maturity: the individual technologies have been available for years, and their reliability is established. The deeper answer lies in macroeconomic constraints.

The labor market for skilled workers in industrialized societies is facing unprecedented pressure. Germany, Japan, and other technologically leading nations are experiencing a simultaneous phenomenon: birth rates are below the replacement level, labor force participation is declining due to demographic effects, and employee turnover in industry is increasing. At the same time, tasks have become technologically more complex. A modern production facility no longer simply requires physical skills—it demands diagnostic expertise, troubleshooting capabilities, and application-specific knowledge. The shortage of such skilled workers is not cyclical, but structural.

The classic answer to the skills shortage would have been: raise wages. But this strategy leads to profit erosion and cannot be implemented indefinitely in many industries. The alternative answer is: decentralization and remote work. Instead of a technician in Oslo having to board a plane to repair an aircraft in Shanghai, they can control it from their office in Norway. This reduces transit costs by an order of magnitude and makes it possible to retain skilled workers in wealthier, higher-paying regions while distributing their labor globally.

The Nexus NX1 system enables precisely this model. The market for teleoperated robot systems, valued at $890 million in 2025, will grow to $4 billion by 2032 – not because machines are becoming more popular, but because these hybrid human-machine models are more economically competitive than classic systems that are either fully automated or fully manual.

A second economic driver is high-frequency quality control. In industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, or precision optics, automated inspection systems can be very expensive, while human inspectors are highly experienced. The hybrid solution involves a human inspector working in a remote "control center" with immersive sensory experiences on a production line millions of kilometers away. The production line itself is largely automated, but at critical decision points, human cognitive control resumes. This allows for cost-optimized flexibility.

A third economic driver is the distribution of specialized knowledge. Global corporations often have a core team of highly qualified technicians who cannot be present at all production sites. Immersive teleoperation allows these specialists to work remotely. A Swiss watchmaker can participate in the quality control of a manufacturer in Japan without leaving Switzerland.

A fourth, and potentially most promising, driver is training and simulation. HaptX Gloves and the Omni-One platform have primarily been used for training and simulation over the past few years: military organizations like the US Army use them for medical training, and airlines for simulated maintenance scenarios. Integration into the Nexus NX1 ecosystem allows training data to flow directly into AI algorithms. A technician training in a fully synthetic environment generates thousands of data points per minute – pressure distributions, movement patterns, error rates, and correction times. This data can be used to improve training models, instruct autonomous robotic systems, and optimize predictive maintenance algorithms. This is not just training, but generative data acquisition.

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The societal permutation: labor market effects and employment architecture

The introduction of systems like Nexus NX1 leads to profound shifts in the employment structure. This is not trivial and is often misunderstood. The conventional fear of “job loss through automation” is too simplistic. The empirical reality is more nuanced.

German mechanical engineering professor Hartmut Hirsch-Kreinsen and his colleagues at the Technical University of Dortmund have analyzed how Industry 4.0 is actually transforming employment. Their finding is that there isn't a single effect, but rather several, sometimes opposing, ones. On the one hand, routine tasks are indeed being replaced – industrial assembly line work has already been largely displaced by robots. But on the other hand, new categories of tasks are emerging. The production worker is becoming a production manager. Instead of performing repetitive hand movements, this employee is taking on diagnostic, problem-solving, and coordinating functions.

Empirical forecasts for Germany estimate that Industry 4.0 could potentially create up to ten million new jobs, even though many millions of traditional industrial jobs will be displaced simultaneously. The net effect is complex and depends on retraining programs, wage policies, and labor market institutions. This is often overlooked: the mere existence of a technology does not lead to deterministic employment effects. The effects depend on how societal institutions implement these technologies.

Specifically for the Nexus NX1, an interesting dynamic emerges: The system dramatically increases the cognitive demands on operators. A technician operating an immersive remote control system needs a deeper understanding of the systems being controlled, higher spatial cognition, and better hand-eye coordination than a technician working with traditional remote controls. This leads to a shift in training requirements. At the same time, geographical job distribution becomes possible: A highly skilled technician in a developed country can perform remote operations in multiple countries, which could lead to a convergence of wage structures—under pressure. A secondary effect is the destabilization of union structures: When work becomes geographically dispersible, localization weakens as a bargaining chip.

Military and defense policy implications: Dual usability

One aspect often marginalized in public discourse is the dual-use quality of these technologies. Systems like the Nexus NX1 can be used in civilian industries, but their architecture is directly transferable to military applications. Teleoperated manipulator systems are relevant for several military scenarios: bomb disposal, remote surgical intervention in field hospitals, and the control of combat robots in hazardous environments.

The US Army has already conducted extensive evaluations of HaptX gloves for medical training. The strategic value lies in the fact that immersive simulation allows field medics to train in a safe environment, experiencing sensory sensations identical to those of real surgery without risking patient harm. This multiplies training capacity by an order of magnitude.

The same applies to robotic arm control in military contexts. A disruptive war or an operation with a high NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) risk requires the remote control of combat equipment. Commercial systems like the Nexus NX1, if adapted for military use, would dramatically increase operator effectiveness.

This creates a new aspect of “strategic technology rivalry,” particularly between Western nations and China. Control over immersive teleoperation technology is not primarily a consumer tech issue, but an arms control issue. Nations with leading capabilities in whole-body immersion and precise remote manipulation have a military advantage. This explains why the US military is actively collaborating with HaptX and why China is making aggressive investments in its own immersive ecosystem.

Technical limitations and the obligation to be realistic

A holistic understanding of the Nexus NX1 system must also acknowledge its limitations. The technology is not universally applicable.

First: latency. The system can only function if the delay between user movement and robot feedback is less than approximately 100 milliseconds. This is currently possible over high-voltage precision land connections. However, for intercontinental connections, physical limitations—such as the speed of light—begin to become a constraint. A teleoperation link between Europe and Australia with haptic feedback is technically feasible today, but its performance characteristics are borderline.

Secondly: cost. A complete Nexus NX1 system costs several five- or six-figure sums in euros – the exact pricing has not yet been announced, but a set of HaptX Gloves G1 starts at around €5,500, the Omni-One treadmill at around €2,000, and Freeaim shoes at around €800 to €1,400. For small and medium-sized enterprises, this is a significant investment that is only economically viable under certain conditions: if the savings from remote work, training efficiency, or quality improvements more than offset the initial investment.

Thirdly: Usability. The system requires users who are comfortable with immersive VR technology. Older workers or those without a tech affinity may find it challenging to use. There is also a subpopulation of people who suffer from “VR sickness”—nausea and disorientation in immersive environments—and for whom the system is unsuitable.

Fourth: Control precision. For ultra-fine manipulations – such as in watchmaking or optoelectronic assembly with micrometer tolerances – work performed directly on-site can still be more precise than remote operation. Latency, even minimal, makes a difference.

Fifth: Security and cybersecurity. A teleoperated system is a potential target for attack. A compromised network could jeopardize control over production systems or lead to sabotaging manipulation. This necessitates robust, redundant cybersecurity architectures, which contribute to increased costs and complexity.

Future development paths: Scenarios and trajectories

The further development of this ecosystem will proceed along several parallel pathways.

The first path is technological refinement: reducing latency through 5G and 6G networks, improving tactile feedback through new materials science, and ergonomic optimizations. Virtuix and HaptX will continuously iterate their hardware.

The second path is software ecosystem development. The Nexus system will only achieve widespread adoption if a comprehensive ecosystem of applications emerges: training modules for specific industries, offline simulation environments, and integrated CAD interfaces. This requires third-party developer participation. 1HMX has released an SDK, but the volume and quality of third-party developer engagement will be crucial.

The third path is market consolidation. The Nexus NX1 is currently an integrated product from 1HMX, but other vendors could build competing integrated systems. Microsoft, Meta, or Google could develop competing whole-body control systems based on their VR headset strengths. An oligopolistic market structure could emerge.

The fourth path is AI integration. The vision for the future is not humans controlling robots, but rather humans training and monitoring AI agents. A technician could run a training scenario multiple times in immersive simulation, collecting enough data points for an AI model to learn to perform the task autonomously. The human then transitions into a "supervisory control" role—monitoring whether the AI ​​agent is performing the task correctly and intervening if anomalies occur. This would bring about a qualitative shift in the division of labor.

The fifth path is regulatory adaptation. Occupational health and safety laws, data protection rules, and cybersecurity standards will need to respond to these new ways of working. The EU could create specific regulations for teleoperated work, for example, regarding maximum shift quotas (to prevent mental overload) or data collection limits (to protect privacy).

Structural transformations beyond technology

The Nexus NX1 system is ultimately a symbol of a broader transformation: the dissolution of the traditional spatial constraints of work. In earlier industrial eras, work was location-bound. The worker had to be physically present at the factory. Teleworking in intellectual professions has already partially resolved this, but manual and skilled labor remained location-bound – you couldn't remotely assemble a robot on a distant production line.

Systems like the Nexus NX1 – combined with 5G network infrastructure, cloud computing, and AI – are beginning to break through even this last bastion of location-based ties. This has profound consequences: for wage structures, for urban geography, for global trade flows, and for national industrial policies.

A German mechanical engineering company could theoretically concentrate two-thirds of its highly qualified technicians in a central control center in Munich and carry out the actual production in cost-effective regions – entirely remotely controlled, with high quality control, but without the need for German specialists to be constantly present on-site. This would represent a reorganization of the global division of labor.

This is not technologically predetermined, but depends on societal decisions. It could also turn out differently: countries like Germany could stipulate through regulations that certain critical tasks must be performed physically on-site – for example, for reasons of job quality or workers' rights. Or they could reserve the technology primarily for training and high-risk scenarios, not for routine work.

But the possibility remains, and it grows with each new round of hardware and software optimization. The Nexus NX1 system, available from Q2 2026, is not the end of this development, but the beginning of a new phase of human-machine integration, the implications of which will only fully manifest themselves in the medium term.

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