Google DeepMind unveils Gemini Robotics 2 with intelligent whole-body control for humanoids

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Google DeepMind launched Gemini Robotics 2, an AI model that controls entire humanoid robots from feet to fingertips. The system coordinates multiple robots, adapts to new machines in hours, and performs complex tasks like tying trash bags and screwing in lightbulbs. Despite improved dexterity reaching 92% accuracy on some tasks, fiddlier operations still lag at 40-44% success rates.

Google DeepMind Advances Toward Physical AGI

Google DeepMind has released Gemini Robotics 2, marking a significant shift in how AI models interact with the physical world. Unlike its predecessor, which focused on upper-body movements, this AI model now enables intelligent whole-body control of humanoid robots, from feet to fingertips. The release represents what Carolina Parada, head of robotics at Google DeepMind, describes as "another milestone in our path towards really getting towards what we call like physical AGI, which means we get a robot to do anything that a human can"

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The system demonstrated its capabilities through Apptronik's Apollo 2 robot, which performed tasks ranging from bending over to pick up watering cans to finding and retrieving specific items from shelves

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. Videos shared by the company show fully autonomous robots performing real-time tasks like putting tape into a boombox, screwing in lightbulbs, and tying garbage bags

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Source: Engadget

Source: Engadget

Three Models Working as One System

Gemini Robotics 2 actually comprises three distinct models working in concert. The core vision language action model translates what a robot sees and hears into motor commands, handling the physical execution

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. This vision language model processes live video feeds from robot cameras, allowing the system to track progress as machines move from one step to the next

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The embodied reasoning model, Gemini Robotics ER 2, serves as the high-level brain that plans multi-step tasks. This component can classify video frame completeness with almost 60 percent accuracy and identify key moments with almost 90 percent accuracy

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. When a robot attempts to pour coffee, for instance, the embodied reasoning model determines precisely when to stop pouring. The system now understands when tasks begin and end, enabling real-time failure recovery—if a ball rolls away during pickup, the robot can readjust its hand position rather than restarting the entire sequence

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Source: Wired

Source: Wired

On-Device 2, the third component, runs locally without internet connectivity. This model can adapt to entirely new robot designs with fewer than 200 examples and just a few hours of training data

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. The ability to transfer learned skills between different machine bodies addresses one of robotics' most persistent challenges.

Enhanced Dexterity Meets Real-World Limits

The improved dexterity now supports complex five-fingered, 22-joint hands capable of sealing Ziploc bags, tying knots, and unscrewing lightbulbs

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. Google DeepMind trained these generalist robotics capabilities using a mix of human teleoperation, video examples, and simulations

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Yet the company's own figures reveal persistent gaps. The system achieved 92 percent success unscrewing light bulbs, but fiddlier operations lagged significantly—trash bag ties succeeded 44 percent of the time, while Ziploc seals reached only 40 percent

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. The robots remain noticeably slow, pausing to process movements that humans execute without thought. Kanishka Rao, a DeepMind robotics director, acknowledged that true dexterity remains distant and that robots still learn far less efficiently than humans

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Multi-Robot Coordination and Collaboration

Gemini Robotics ER 2 enables multi-robot coordination, allowing different machine types to work together on shared tasks. Demonstrations showed Apollo 2 instructing Google's dual-arm robot to place tools in a bin while cleaning a garage. Another video featured Apollo 2 working alongside the simpler Franka F3 Duo without interference

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. While test robots can't match human speed or grace, they demonstrate less hesitation than in previous iterations.

Source: Ars Technica

Source: Ars Technica

Robot Safety Through ASIMOV-Agentic Benchmark

As AI gains physical embodiment, the potential harm from mistakes escalates beyond digital hallucinations. Google DeepMind addresses this through what Parada calls a "multi-layered approach," with guardrails applied to each model layer

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. The company introduced ASIMOV-Agentic, a safety benchmark that evaluates whether an embodied reasoning model will refuse unsafe tool calls from a vision language action model

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This benchmark also determines whether tasks can be completed safely and whether the system requests human assistance when uncertain

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. Gemini Robotics ER 2 demonstrates improved ability to detect when humans are nearby and halt actions until people move to a safe distance. The complete safety benchmark is now available on Hugging Face.

Competition Intensifies in Physical AI Race

Google DeepMind's release comes as OpenAI and Nvidia build competing robot models, with all three pursuing the same vision: one model capable of controlling any robot body

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. While Anthropic and OpenAI have led in chatbots and coding tools, Google maintains a stronger track record in robotics research and previously partnered with Boston Dynamics to provide AI brains for their machines

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The contrast with Elon Musk's Optimus robots is stark—a high-profile demonstration was proven to use human teleoperation to control the machines

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. Google emphasizes its demonstrations feature fully autonomous robots operating in real-time. CEO Demis Hassabis has expressed hopes to develop an AI operating system for robots similar to Android for smartphones

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Gemini Robotics ER 2 is now available to developers through the Gemini Live API and Google AI Studio, while the full action models remain limited to a small group of testers. Google is collaborating with over 100 trusted testers and Western partners including Apptronik, Boston Dynamics, and Agile Robots

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. However, hardware supply faces political complications, as the US recently moved to ban future sales of Chinese-made robots on security grounds

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