French robotics-focused start-up Genesis AI has released its first foundational model, GENE-26.5, along with a human-like hand built in-house that’s capable of carrying out complex tasks such as cooking or solving a Rubik’s Cube. The debut marks a significant milestone for the company, which pivoted from a pure software approach to developing its own hardware in order to achieve tighter integration across the entire robotic stack.
The company, which completed a $105 million (£77.2m) seed funding round in July of last year, began with a focus on a model to power real-world robotics, then built its own hand in order to have more accurate control over the full stack, said co-founder and chief executive Zhou Xian. Zhou, who co-founded Genesis AI alongside Theophile Gervet, emphasized that the decision to design and manufacture the hand internally was driven by the need for precision and reliability that off-the-shelf components could not provide.
A Human-Like Design
Unlike robotic hands built by dozens of other companies, which tend to have two or three fingers, the unit from Genesis AI closely resembles a human appendage, allowing data to be more directly transferred to the device. The five-fingered hand is designed to mimic the dexterity and range of motion of a human hand, which is critical for tasks that require fine motor skills. This design choice enables the robot to interact with tools, objects, and environments that are inherently structured for human hands, from kitchen utensils to industrial machinery.
The human-like configuration also facilitates a more straightforward data pipeline. When a human performs a task, the motion can be recorded and translated to the robotic hand with minimal loss of fidelity. For example, if a person grabs a cup, the hand’s joints follow a familiar pattern. By replicating that exact pattern, the robot can achieve similar results. This is a key advantage over simpler grippers, which often struggle with irregular or fragile objects.
Delicate Tasks and Sensor Gloves
Genesis has also created lightweight sensor gloves that can be worn by workers in fields such as pharmaceuticals or manufacturing, capturing data that can be passed along to the AI model – although whether workers would be happy to help train a potential robotic replacement remains in question. The gloves are equipped with sensors that track hand and finger movements, providing high-resolution data on how humans perform intricate tasks. This data is then used to train GENE-26.5 in simulated environments before being transferred to the physical hand.
Data from the gloves can be combined with information gleaned from videos of workers carrying out tasks, Genesis said. The multi-modal approach allows the model to learn not only from explicit motion capture but also from passive observation. In the pharmaceutical industry, for instance, workers might wear the gloves while handling vials or operating precision instruments. The resulting dataset helps the robot understand the subtle hand positions and force adjustments required in such environments.
In a demonstration video, Genesis showed a pair of its hands carrying out complex or delicate processes such as preparing a smoothie or playing the piano. The video highlighted the hand’s ability to grip a blender jar, pour ingredients, and press piano keys with varying force. These demonstrations reflect the model’s capacity to handle both gross motor skills and fine motor control, bridging the gap between mundane chores and high-precision artistic tasks.
Leadership and European Presence
Co-founder and president Theophile Gervet previously worked for France’s Mistral, a prominent AI startup specializing in large language models. Gervet’s background in both AI and entrepreneurship has been instrumental in shaping Genesis AI’s strategy. The company retains a substantial presence in Europe that it attributed to the continent’s large talent base and potential market of industrial customers. Europe is home to some of the world’s largest manufacturing and pharmaceutical firms, many of which are exploring automation and robotics to improve efficiency and safety.
Gervet’s experience at Mistral also brought attention to Genesis AI within the European tech ecosystem. The company’s dual focus on AI and robotics has attracted interest from investors and researchers who see the convergence of these fields as the next frontier. By maintaining offices in both the US and Europe, Genesis AI aims to tap into the best of both worlds: American venture capital and technological innovation, and European engineering talent and industrial partnerships.
Full-Body Robot Plans
The company said it is working to supplement the mechanical hand with a full-body, general purpose robot. While the hand is a critical component, a complete robot capable of navigating environments, manipulating objects, and interacting with humans requires a more integrated design. Genesis AI has not yet disclosed a timeline for this full-body platform, but the team is already considering aspects such as locomotion, balance, and sensory feedback.
A full-body robot would allow the company to address a broader range of tasks, from warehouse logistics to elderly care. The current hand-focused approach serves as a proof of concept, but the ultimate goal is to create an autonomous system that can operate in unstructured environments. The company’s seed funding will likely be used to accelerate this development, along with expanding the team and refining the AI model.
Financial Backing and Investors
The seed funding round last year was co-led by Eclipse and Khosla Ventures, with additional backing from Bpifrance, HSG, former Google chief Eric Schmidt, telecoms entrepreneur Xavier Niel, MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory director Daniela Rus and Apple distinguished scientist Vladlen Koltun. This constellation of investors reflects the perceived potential of Genesis AI. Eric Schmidt, who has been an active investor in AI and defense technologies, brings a wealth of experience in scaling technology companies. Xavier Niel is known for his investments in disruptive startups, particularly in France. Daniela Rus is a leading figure in robotics research, and Vladlen Koltun has a deep background in machine learning.
The involvement of such prominent individuals lends credibility to Genesis AI’s mission. It also provides access to a vast network of industry contacts and technical expertise. The $105 million seed round is among the largest for a robotics startup, underscoring the confidence investors have in the team’s ability to execute. While the robotics industry has seen many startups struggle to move from research to production, Genesis AI’s early focus on a revenue-generating model and its decision to build hardware in-house could differentiate it from competitors.
Genesis AI’s team of 60 people is split roughly evenly between the US and Europe, with a slightly larger group in the US base in California. In addition to San Carlos, California, it has offices in Paris and London. The companys leadership believes that this geographic diversity is a strength, allowing it to recruit from a wider talent pool and maintain close ties to major industrial markets. The Paris office, for example, sits in the heart of a country with a strong engineering tradition, while the London office provides access to financial markets and a vibrant AI scene.
The development of GENE-26.5 and the robotic hand is just the beginning. As the company continues to gather data and refine its model, it will likely uncover new use cases and applications. The integration of sensor gloves, video learning, and a human-like hand could set a new standard for robotic dexterity. Whether in the kitchen, the factory floor, or the laboratory, Genesis AI aims to make robots that are not just tools but adaptable collaborators.
Source:Silicon UK News