Chinese startup DexForce trains humanoid robots using virtual data to slash costs

DexForce bets virtual training can speed humanoid robot development CEO sees potential for a ChatGPT-like leap in robot capability Software transfers skills learned in simulations to physical robots By Laurie Chen SHENZHEN, Oct 15 (Reuters) — At the offices of Chinese startup DexForce, a screen shows a virtual robot placing objects on a table. It repeats the task as the angle of its arms, the colour of the table and the objects themselves change. DexForce, based in the southern tech hub of Shenzhen, is betting that such simulated training can help solve one of the humanoid-robot industry's biggest challenges: teaching machines to perform a wide range of real-world tasks without human assistance. China has developed humanoids capable of outperforming humans in running and jumping but the harder commercial test lies in whether they can reliably carry out useful work in factories, offices and the home. Many Chinese robot makers are trying to meet that challenge by collecting large volumes of data from human workers repeatedly performing tasks in the real world. DexForce is relying on synthetic data generated in virtual environments to cut costs and improve training efficiency. Chief E