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Dec 16, 20242 min read

Ex-OpenAI Engineer Launches Robotics Start-Up, Enters Race for Intelligent Machines

Former OpenAI engineer Roger Jiang establishes Light Robotics in Singapore. Light Robotics to focus on developing consumer-friendly companion robots. China aims for mass production of humanoid robots by 2025.


Ex-OpenAI Engineer Launches Robotics Start-Up, Enters Race for Intelligent Machines
Credit: XINHUA

Roger Jiang, who departed from OpenAI in June 2023, founded Light Robotics in Singapore in August this year. His aim is to develop general-purpose robots, as indicated on his LinkedIn profile.


Jiang played a role in the creation of OpenAI's GPT-4, focusing on areas such as reinforcement learning, data analysis, and contamination investigations. Light Robotics, known as Liangyuan Xinchuang in Chinese, will concentrate on creating consumer-friendly companion robots. The company has offices in Shenzhen and Singapore, according to a report by Chinese news outlet 36Kr.


The start-up is actively recruiting talent in Singapore and has already stationed an engineer in Shanghai, as seen on the company's LinkedIn page. Liangyuan Xinchuang Technology Limited Company was established in Shanghai in August, according to Chinese corporate database Qichacha. Jiang has not responded to requests for comments on LinkedIn.


Light Robotics is entering a competitive market striving to deliver robots that can enhance people's daily lives. This move comes as Chinese companies accelerate their efforts in response to government initiatives aimed at boosting the robotics industry. China aims to achieve mass production of humanoid robots by 2025, with plans for them to drive economic growth by 2027.


Tech companies in mainland China have showcased nearly two dozen humanoid robots at industry expos in Beijing and Shanghai this year. Notably, Tesla's Optimus was the sole foreign competitor at these events. Local government authorities in China are introducing policies to expedite the industry's growth, with the Chongqing municipal government offering subsidies of up to 10 million yuan (US$1.37 million) for robotics firms.


The surge in local policy support precedes the central economic work conference scheduled for this year. The conference, which outlines the economic agenda for the upcoming year, emphasises the importance of scientific and technological innovation and the development of a modernised industrial system, according to Xinhua.

 

  • Former OpenAI engineer Roger Jiang establishes Light Robotics in Singapore

  • Light Robotics to focus on developing consumer-friendly companion robots

  • China aims for mass production of humanoid robots by 2025


Source: SCMP

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