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Google debuts AI model for robotics, challenging Meta, OpenAI

Google debuts AI model for robotics, challenging Meta, OpenAI

  • 17.03.2025 06:00
  • seattletimes.com
  • Keywords: AI, Robotics

Google introduces Gemini Robotics and Gemini Robotics-ER, enhancing robot dexterity, interaction, and spatial understanding. These models aim to advance general-purpose robotics, challenging Meta, Tesla, and OpenAI in the AI-driven robotics field.

Alphabet NewsMETAsentiment_dissatisfied

Estimated market influence

Google DeepMind

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Google DeepMind is releasing Gemini Robotics, a new branch of its flagship AI model aimed at developing robots that are more dexterous and interactive.

Meta

Meta

Negativesentiment_dissatisfied
Analyst rating: Strong buy

Meta is mentioned as one of the companies ramping up their work on robotics, but no specific details about their role or impact were provided in the article.

Context

Analysis: Google's New AI Models for Robotics

Market Overview

  • Robotics Industry Growth: The market for general-purpose robots is attracting significant investment and attention. Companies like Meta, Tesla, and OpenAI are intensifying their efforts, while startups secure funding at high valuations.

Google's New Models

  • Gemini Robotics:

    • A new branch of Google’s flagship AI model.
    • Designed to enable robots to handle unfamiliar scenarios with greater dexterity and interactivity.
    • Highlighted in a demonstration where a robot spelled "Ace" and another dunked a basketball after receiving simple commands.

  • Gemini Robotics-ER:

    • Specializes in spatial understanding.
    • Aims to help robot manufacturers build programs using Gemini’s reasoning capabilities.

Competitive Landscape

  • Key Competitors: Meta, Tesla, OpenAI, and startups are actively developing robotics technologies.
  • Strategic Partnerships: Google is collaborating with companies like Apptronik, Agile Robots, and Boston Dynamics (acquired by Alphabet in 2013 and later sold to SoftBank Group).

Historical Context

  • Google's Robotics History:
    • Acquired at least eight robotics companies over a decade ago.
    • Shut down Everyday Robots unit in 2023 as part of budget cuts, but retained some technology and team.

Strategic Shifts

  • Focus on Generative AI: Google is rebooting its robotics efforts under the banner of generative AI, aiming to develop general-purpose robots capable of handling diverse tasks.
  • Safety Considerations:
    • Models are designed with a "strong understanding of common sense safety" in physical environments.
    • Deployment will start at safe distances from humans, gradually increasing interactivity as safety improves.

Long-Term Implications

  • Potential Applications: The technology could revolutionize industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and services by enabling robots to perform complex tasks with human-like adaptability.
  • Regulatory Impact: As general-purpose robotics advance, regulatory frameworks may need to evolve to address safety, ethical, and legal challenges.

Conclusion

Google’s launch of Gemini Robotics marks a significant step in the AI-driven robotics race. By leveraging generative AI, the company aims to overcome historical challenges in developing versatile robots capable of handling real-world tasks. While competition is fierce, Google’s strategic partnerships and focus on safety position it as a key player in this rapidly evolving field.