NEC invests in US-based robotics startup Dexmate. Japanese technology giant NEC's corporate venture capital fund has invested in US-based robotics startup Dexmate, developer of the VEGA humanoid robot and an integrated physical AI development platform. The investment was made through the NEC Orchestrating Future Fund (NOFF), with NEC and Dexmate planning to explore opportunities to deploy physical AI technologies across a range of industries. Founded in 2024 by AI robotics researchers, Dexmate is developing VEGA alongside a software platform designed to simplify the development, configuration and operation of AI-powered robots. The company says its integrated approach addresses some of the challenges involved in deploying physical AI systems, which can require the coordination of sensors, control systems, training data, simulation environments and site-specific tuning. By bringing these elements together, Dexmate aims to streamline the process from developing robots for particular applications through to deploying them in real-world environments. Discover more Automation System Design Industrial Robot Parts Tao Chen, co-founder and CEO of Dexmate, says: "Robotics & Automation News is honored to welcome the investment from the NEC Orchestrating Future Fund and deeply appreciate their confidence in its 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, 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." The investment comes as technology companies increasingly look beyond generative AI operating primarily in digital environments toward physical AI systems capable of interacting with objects, people and real-world surroundings. Robotics is emerging as one of the main areas for the application of these technologies, particularly as developers combine increasingly capable AI models with advances in perception, simulation and robotic control. NEC says it intends to combine Dexmate's technology with its own AI capabilities and experience across multiple industries to investigate potential applications. Shigeki Wada, corporate senior vice president at NEC, says: "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." The NEC Orchestrating Future Fund operates as an ecosystem-based corporate venture capital fund supporting startups that could complement NEC's technologies and business activities. NEC says the investment in Dexmate forms part of its broader open innovation strategy, through which the company works with startups and other partners to develop new businesses and technologies. Neither company disclosed the value of the investment.

NEC Corporation's venture capital fund, NEC Orchestrating Future Fund, has invested in Dexmate, a US startup founded in 2024 that provides the AI-controlled humanoid robot "VEGA" and a Physical AI development platform. Dexmate was established by AI robotics researchers and offers an integrated solution combining its humanoid robot with a platform that enables easy development, configuration, and operation of AI-powered robots. The technology aims to streamline robot development and deployment whilst lowering barriers to entry. The partnership will explore collaboration opportunities for implementing Physical AI across various industries. NEC plans to combine Dexmate's technology with its own advanced capabilities and industry expertise to accelerate real-world applications of Physical AI.

What is driving the next wave of Articulated Robot adoption in 2026? Published: May 29, 2026 The growth of the Articulated Robot Market is being driven by a fundamental shift across manufacturing, logistics, and research environments. Organizations are increasingly moving beyond traditional automation systems and adopting more flexible robotic solutions capable of handling complex, variable, and precision-driven tasks. This transition reflects a broader industry focus on improving operational efficiency while addressing the growing need for adaptability in modern production and research settings. Recent developments from LG CNS, along with the collaboration between Techman Robot and Tesollo, highlight how articulated robots are evolving from standalone automation tools into strategic assets that support robot transformation (RX) initiatives. As industries continue to prioritize greater flexibility, productivity, and accuracy, the Articulated Robot Market is witnessing increased demand for advanced robotic systems that can support next-generation automation strategies across diverse industrial applications. How are articulated robots expanding beyond traditional manufacturing? Historically, articulated robots were primarily associated with repetitive industrial production tasks. However, recent deployments indicate a much broader application landscape. LG CNS has integrated articulated robotic systems across manufacturing facilities, logistics centers, research laboratories, battery material processing operations, and product development environments. This expansion reflects a growing demand for automation solutions that can operate effectively in settings where precision and flexibility are equally important. One notable example involves a robotic system combining a Doosan Robotics articulated robot with an OnRobot gripper at an LG Unicharm research laboratory. The deployment automated powder measurement processes that were previously performed manually. The system reportedly improved measurement precision from approximately 0.5 grams to an error margin of around 0.05 grams. According to LG CNS, such laboratory automation can shorten product development timelines by as much as 50%. How is physical AI increasing the strategic importance of articulated robots? One of the most significant themes highlighted by LG CNS is the rise of physical AI. Physical AI refers to artificial intelligence technologies that enable robots to perceive, understand, and respond to real-world environments. As industrial operations become increasingly dynamic, conventional programmed automation often struggles to adapt to changing conditions. By incorporating physical AI capabilities, articulated robots can react more effectively to environmental variations, perform complex tasks with greater autonomy, and operate in less predictable settings. This evolution moves robotics beyond repetitive execution and toward intelligent decision-making. To strengthen its position in this area, LG CNS has invested in robotics AI specialist Skilled AI and humanoid robot developer Dexmate while expanding research activities in South Korea and Silicon Valley. How are power electronics enhancing Articulated Robot performance? This illustration highlights the ecosystem of power supply and power conversion components that support articulated robot operations in industrial environments. At the center is an articulated robotic arm used for manufacturing and automation tasks, while the surrounding components represent various AC-DC and DC-DC power solutions required to ensure stable, efficient, and reliable robot performance. The image demonstrates that articulated robots depend not only on advanced mechanical design and control software but also on sophisticated power management systems. Components such as AC-DC power supplies, DC-DC converters, and integrated power modules enable robots to maintain precise motion control, handle varying workloads, and operate continuously in demanding industrial settings. The visualization emphasizes the interconnected relationship between robotics hardware and supporting power electronics infrastructure. How are adaptive grippers making articulated robots more flexible? One of the biggest challenges in industrial automation has been handling diverse product types without extensive reconfiguration. Techman Robot and Tesollo addressed this challenge through an integrated solution that combines the TM5S collaborative robot with the DG-3F-M articulated gripper. Unlike traditional parallel grippers that rely on simple open-and-close movements, the DG-3F-M uses three articulated fingers that adapt to the shape of the object being handled. | Feature | DG-3F-M Capability | | Pinching Payload | 2.5 kg rated (5 kg maximum) | | Enveloping Payload | 10 kg rated (15 kg maximum) | | Grasping Method | Shape-adaptive articulated fingers | | Application Focus | High-mix, low-volume production | This design allows the robotic system to handle randomly oriented components, irregular parts, mixed product batches, and objects with varying geometries. As a result, manufacturers can reduce dependence on specialized fixtures and minimize the need for frequent process redesigns. Why does this matter? Manufacturers increasingly require automation systems that can adapt to changing production demands. Adaptive gripping technology helps bridge the gap between robotic efficiency and operational flexibility, making articulated robots more practical for modern manufacturing environments. Why are high-mix production environments creating new opportunities? Manufacturers today increasingly operate in high-mix, low-volume production environments where product variations change frequently. This trend is driven by growing customer demand for customization and shorter product life cycles. Traditional automation systems often struggle in such environments because production lines require frequent adjustments, fixtures must be replaced regularly, and setup times can increase significantly. These limitations reduce operational flexibility and can diminish the economic benefits of automation. The Techman Robot-Tesollo solution demonstrates how articulated robot systems can address these challenges through adaptive grasping and collaborative automation. By accommodating a wider range of product shapes and configurations, these systems can support more agile production strategies. Potential applications include automotive manufacturing, where robots may handle multiple component types during assembly; electronics production, where parts often vary in size and geometry; bin-picking operations involving irregular objects; and mixed-part assembly environments that require continuous adaptability. What could shape the future of articulated robots? Current developments suggest that the future of articulated robots will be shaped by a combination of artificial intelligence, advanced automation, and broader deployment opportunities. The growing integration of AI-driven robotics is expected to improve robot autonomy and adaptability, while laboratory automation continues to emerge as a promising application area. At the same time, investments in humanoid robotics, mobile manipulators, and adaptive gripping technologies indicate that the robotics ecosystem is becoming increasingly interconnected. Collaborative robot platforms are also likely to play a larger role as organizations seek automation solutions that can operate alongside human workers. LG CNS's continued investment strategy and research initiatives indicate growing industry confidence in intelligent robotic systems capable of supporting long-term robot transformation programs. Leading companies driving innovation in the Articulated Robot industry. The articulated robot industry is characterized by the presence of several established automation and robotics companies, including ABB Ltd, FANUC Corporation, KUKA, Yaskawa Electric Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., Adept Technology Pvt. Ltd., American Robot Corporation, Rockwell Automation, Inc., Honeywell International Inc., and Omron Adept Technology, among others. To strengthen their market position and expand their customer base, these companies are increasingly focusing on product launches and technological advancements as key growth strategies across global markets. Such initiatives enable them to enhance their robotics portfolios, address evolving industrial automation requirements, and maintain a competitive edge within the articulated robot industry. Next steps. Organizations evaluating articulated robot investments should consider: * Assessing high-mix production requirements. * Identifying repetitive precision-driven workflows. * Evaluating AI-enabled automation capabilities. * Exploring collaborative robot and adaptive gripper combinations. * Developing long-term robot transformation roadmaps. Conclusion. Articulated robot technology is entering a new phase of industrial relevance. Recent developments from LG CNS, Techman Robot, and Tesollo demonstrate that modern robotic systems are evolving beyond traditional automation toward intelligent, adaptive, and highly flexible operational platforms. As physical AI, collaborative robotics, and adaptive gripping technologies mature, articulated robots are becoming strategic tools for organizations seeking greater efficiency, precision, and resilience across manufacturing, logistics, and laboratory environments. For business leaders planning future automation investments, these developments represent important indicators of where industrial robotics is heading.