Google's DeepMind says it will use AI models to power physical robots
Google is bringing its DeepMind artificial intelligence technology models into the physical world to power robots.
The company on Wednesday debuted two new AI models, Gemini Robotics and Gemini Robotics-ER (extended reasoning). They both run on Gemini 2.0, which Google calls its "most capable" AI to date. Gemini Robotics goes beyond outputs like text and images, where generative AI has thrived to date, and into physical action commands to control robots.
Partnership with Apptronik
In a blog post, Google announced its partnership with Apptronik, a Texas-based robotics developer, to "build the next generation of humanoid robots with Gemini 2.0." Apptronik has previously worked with Nvidia and NASA.
In demonstration videos, Google showcased Apptronik robots, equipped with the new AI models, performing various tasks in response to spoken commands.
Gemini Robotics-ER for Roboticists
Gemini Robotics-ER is designed specifically for roboticists to use as a foundation to train their own models. It's available to Apptronik as well as "trusted testers" including Agile Robots, Agility Robots, Boston Dynamics, and Enchanted Tools.
Industry Trends
Google is not the only company exploring AI for robotics. In November, OpenAI invested in Physical Intelligence, a startup focused on integrating general-purpose AI into the physical world to power robots.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai mentioned in a post on X that the company sees "robotics as a helpful testing ground for translating AI advances in the physical world." Pichai highlighted the use of Google's multimodal AI models in robots to "make changes on the fly + adapt to their surroundings."
As technology continues to advance, the integration of AI models into physical robots opens up new possibilities for various industries.
