Google's new AI for robots

Good morning, robotics enthusiasts. Google DeepMind just unveiled a new AI model to make robots more capable, adaptive, and helpful.

Gemini Robotics enables humanoids to perform complex, previously unseen tasks—like folding origami or making a salad—just from vocal instructions. Could this be the breakthrough that redefines human-machine interaction?

In today’s robotics rundown:

• Google DeepMind’s Gemini Robotics AI

• AgiBot humanoid riding bike and ‘breathing’

• iRobot brings eight new Roombas

• New worm robot to modernize power grids

• Quick hits on other robotics news

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

GOOGLE DEEPMIND

🤖 Google DeepMind’s Gemini Robotics AI

The Rundown: Google DeepMind introduced Gemini Robotics, a groundbreaking AI model built on Gemini 2.0 to bring advanced reasoning, adaptability, and dexterity to robots operating in the physical world.

The details:

• The model integrates vision, language, and action modalities to enable robots to perform previously unseen tasks by directly interpreting human instructions.

• A companion model, Gemini Robotics-ER, provides spatial reasoning and embodied intelligence for third-party developers.

• DeepMind is partnering with companies like Apptronik, Boston Dynamics, and Agile Robots to integrate Gemini Robotics with humanoids in development.

• The models are adaptable to various robot types, from industrial robotic arms to humanoids, making it suitable across diverse use cases.

Why it matters: Unlike traditional robots that require training for specific tasks, Gemini-powered robots can generalize behaviors and adapt to new situations on the fly. With this and Figure’s recently announced Helix, the push for real-world-capable humanoids is gaining momentum—signaling a clear shift in the trajectory of embodied AI.

AGIBOT

🚲 AgiBot humanoid riding bike and ‘breathing’

The Rundown: Shanghai-based AgiBot unveiled Lingxi X2, a humanoid capable of remarkable feats—riding a bike, balancing on a hoverboard, detecting emotions, and even mimicking realistic breathing patterns.

The details:

• AgiBot founder Zhihui Peng says X2 features 28 degrees of freedom and integrates powerful motion, interaction, and task intelligence.

• With its multimodal interaction model and GO-1 AI framework, the robot can walk, run, and even ride a bike—learning tasks simply by observing.

• It detects emotional states through facial expressions and voice tone, responding in milliseconds for more natural interactions.

• But perhaps the most striking feature: X2 mimics human breathing rhythms and body language, appearing and behaving remarkably lifelike.

Why it matters: By mastering bicycle riding, X2 joins mainstream robots like Boston Dynamics’ Atlas and Unitree’s G1 in executing complex movements. But what sets it apart is its emotional intelligence and lifelike traits, making it ideal for future roles in elder care and home assistance.

IROBOT

🧹 iRobot brings eight new Roombas

The Rundown: iRobot, the company that invented the robot vacuum over 20 years ago, announced a major overhaul of its Roomba lineup with eight new models—but the company continues to face considerable financial challenges.

The details:

• iRobot has finally replaced camera-based vSLAM with lidar navigation and fast mapping, enhancing Roombas’ ability to navigate homes and avoid obstacles.

• Like Roborock and Dreame, iRobot is also providing suction power specs, with the new Roombas offering 70x more suction than the previous models.

• The company has also replaced the retracting mop pad with two rotating disc-shaped pads on its Plus models.

• Starting at $299, the new Roombas come in black and white finishes and will be available in North America and select European markets starting March 18.

Why it matters: iRobot has completely redesigned its new robots, taking cues from competitors in a last-ditch effort to stay afloat. After a turbulent 2024—marked by its founder and CEO’s departure and Amazon’s abandoned acquisition—the company is betting on this design overhaul for a turnaround.

CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY

🪱 New worm robot to modernize power grids

The Rundown: The U.S. power grid’s 5.5M miles of power lines remain vulnerable to natural hazards, but building them has been too costly—until now. U.S. researchers are developing a worm-inspired robot that could make the underground work feasible.

The details:

• Funded by a $2M grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, the robot mimics the peristaltic, wavelike motion of earthworms to burrow underground.

• Researchers at Case Western University are developing the project to address critical challenges in modernizing the U.S. power grid.

• Rather than digging large trenches, the robotic sleeve expands and contracts in segments, pulling itself forward while simultaneously laying conduit.

• With a potential turning radius of just 5 feet—compared to over 1K feet required by conventional methods—it can safely navigate dense urban infrastructure.

Why it matters: The robot's design eliminates the need for heavy excavation equipment, cutting costs and installation time. While still in the early stages, this tech could provide a safer, faster, and cheaper solution for burying power lines in densely populated areas, contributing to a more reliable and sustainable energy infrastructure.

QUICK HITS

📰 Everything else in robotics today

Chinese EV maker Xpeng, which unveiled its Iron humanoid in November, says it may invest up to $13.8B to scale the production of its robots.

California-based Dexterity AI closed a $95M funding round, taking its valuation to $1.65B, to develop physical AI for its industrial robot arms.

Stanford University researchers are developing a new framework designed to enhance whole-body manipulation for robots performing diverse household tasks.

Japanese researchers developed a wearable robotic hand to help professional piano players play complex patterns faster than ever.

Pony AI, a Chinese self-driving technology company, is gearing up to expand to 1,000 robotaxis this year and grow its fleet to more than 10,000 within three years.

U.S. startup Charge Robotics developed a portable robotic system that assembles and installs large solar farms to cut costs and speed up installation.

Japanese researchers are attaching tiny robotic sensors to cockroaches to develop bug bots capable of inspecting dangerous rubble after disasters.

New York lawmakers proposed a bill that aims to ban arming robots and drones with firearms, lasers, or any type of explosives.

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Rowan, Jennifer, and Joey—The Rundown’s editorial team