NEC Corporation has announced an investment in Dexmate, Inc., a U.S.-based Physical AI and robotics company developing the AI-controlled humanoid robot VEGA and an integrated Physical AI development platform. The companies will also explore opportunities to combine Dexmate’s robotics technologies with NEC’s advanced technologies and industry expertise for real-world Physical AI deployments across a wide range of fields. Founded in 2024 by a team of AI robotics researchers, Dexmate is developing an integrated approach intended to simplify AI-powered robot development, configuration and operation. Its platform combines the VEGA robot with software and development capabilities to address several core elements required for Physical AI deployment, including sensing, robot control, training data, simulation and application-specific tuning.

Physical AI extends AI capabilities beyond digital environments and into systems capable of sensing, interacting with and responding to people, objects and changing conditions in the physical world. For robotics applications, moving from an AI model or laboratory demonstration into a deployable system can require coordination across sensors, controls, training environments, simulation, hardware and on-site configuration. The Dexmate platform is intended to bring more of these functions into a unified development and deployment environment.

“We are honored to welcome the investment from the NEC Orchestrating Future Fund and deeply appreciate their confidence in our Physical AI technology. Dexmate’s humanoid robot “VEGA” and integrated Physical AI development platform fundamentally lower the barriers to robot development and deployment by enabling anyone to easily design,

Dexmate VEGA humanoid robot and Physical AI platform | Robotics Industry Monthly

Dexmate’s AI-controlled humanoid robot VEGA. (Image courtesy of Dexmate)

configure, and operate AI-powered robots in real-world environments. Through this strategic partnership with NEC and their global expertise, we look forward to deploying our technology at scale and jointly accelerating the real-world implementation of Physical AI across a wide range of industries,” said Tao Chen, Co-Founder & CEO of Dexmate.

VEGA is designed as a general-purpose mobile robot platform for Physical AI development and deployment. The platform combines dual-arm manipulation, dexterous end-effector options, an omni-directional mobile base and onboard sensing with development interfaces for AI and robotics applications. Dexmate also supports simulation, teleoperation, fleet management and robot development through its broader hardware and software environment. The investment in Dexmate was made through NEC Orchestrating Future Fund, NEC’s ecosystem-based corporate venture capital fund. The fund works with investment partners aligned with NEC’s future-society strategy and supports startups developing technologies with the potential to contribute to new businesses, applications and social value.

“NEC has long been engaged in the research, development, and real-world implementation of AI technologies. Through dialogue with Dexmate, we aim to explore new possibilities for value creation in the Physical AI domain and, together with our partners, contribute to solving the challenges faced by customers and society,” said Shigeki Wada, Corporate SVP of NEC.

The companies plan to evaluate opportunities for applying Dexmate’s Physical AI technology with NEC’s existing technology portfolio and industry capabilities. The collaboration will focus on opportunities to advance AI-powered robotic systems from development and configuration into broader real-world deployment.

About Dexmate, Inc.

Dexmate, Inc. is a Santa Clara, California-based Physical AI and robotics company founded in 2024 by researchers in AI robotics. The company develops robotic hardware and software platforms for the development and deployment of AI-powered robots. Its VEGA general-purpose mobile robot combines dual-arm manipulation, dexterous handling capabilities, an omni-directional mobile base, onboard AI computing and a sensor suite that includes cameras, LiDAR, IMUs and other sensing technologies. Dexmate also develops the Vega U dual-arm manipulation platform and supports capabilities including Python-based development, simulation integration, fleet management, teleoperation and force/torque-based compliance control. For more information, please click here.

About NEC Corporation

NEC Corporation is a Tokyo, Japan-headquartered technology company with businesses spanning information technology, communications, AI, security and digital infrastructure. Established in 1899, NEC develops technologies and systems serving government, enterprise, telecommunications and infrastructure applications while maintaining extensive research and development programs across AI, networking, computing and related digital technologies. The NEC Group has approximately 110,000 employees worldwide and generated approximately ¥3.58 trillion in consolidated revenue for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026. NEC is publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under the symbol 6701. To learn more, please click here.

Source: NEC Corporation

(Editor’s Note: All trademarks mentioned in this article, including company names, product names, and logos, are the property of their respective owners. Use of these trademarks is for informational purposes only and does not imply any endorsement.)

Molly Bakewell Chamberlin
Latest posts by Molly Bakewell Chamberlin (see all)
Tagged