Japanese technology conglomerate NEC has invested in US-based robotics startup Dexmate through its corporate venture capital fund, the NEC Orchestrating Future Fund (NOFF). Dexmate, founded in 2024 by AI robotics researchers, is developing the VEGA humanoid robot alongside an integrated physical AI development platform designed to streamline robot creation and deployment.
Key takeaways
- Dexmate's platform aims to lower barriers by unifying sensors, control systems, training data, simulation, and site-specific tuning into a single workflow.
- The partnership will explore combining Dexmate's technology with NEC's AI capabilities and industry expertise to identify applications across sectors.
- The investment reflects a broader industry shift from digital-only generative AI toward physical AI systems that interact with real-world environments.
Dexmate CEO Tao Chen emphasized that the platform enables users to easily design, configure, and operate AI-powered robots in real-world settings. NEC's Shigeki Wada noted the company's long history in AI R&D and its intent to create value in the physical AI domain. The investment amount was not disclosed.
Source: Robotics & Automation News (roboticsandautomationnews.com) · Published 2026-08-25 · “NEC invests in US-based robotics startup Dexmate”