Google DeepMind has released Gemini Robotics 2, an updated AI model that can now control entire humanoid robots from "feet to fingertips." The previous model focused on upper-body control, but the new version supports whole-body motions including walking, crouching, stretching, and manipulating objects.
Videos shared by Google demonstrate Apptronik's Apollo 2 robot performing tasks like bending over to pick up a watering can and retrieving specific items from a shelf. The model also includes improved dexterity with five-fingered hands, enabling robots to seal Ziploc bags, tie trash bags, and unscrew lightbulbs.
Google DeepMind is also updating Gemini Robotics ER (embodied reasoning) to ER 2, which better understands when tasks begin and end, can complete multi-step tasks over extended periods, and allows multiple different robots to work together. The company claims ER 2 is its "safest robotics model to date" with improved human proximity detection and automatic safety stops.
Additionally, the Gemini Robotics On-Device Model now runs locally without internet and can adapt faster to new robot embodiments with drastically different shapes, sensors, and degrees of freedom.