Startup with Backing from Former Google Chief Unveils AI-Powered Industrial Robot

A new industrial robot powered by artificial intelligence has been launched by a startup supported by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, entering the market as investors flock to the emerging humanoid robotics sector.

Genesis AI, based in Paris, announced on Tuesday that its general-purpose robot, named Eno, will be capable of "reasoning, adapting to its environment, and taking on work beyond a set range of pre-defined tasks." The startup will collaborate with South Korea's LG CNS to develop its specific applications.

In an interview, Schmidt highlighted the robot's decision-making speed and, in particular, its skill and dexterity in playing the piano as signs of significant progress. "In my view, the robot follows a cycle called VLA: vision, language, action," Schmidt said. "The breakthrough from Genesis is that its algorithms now run much faster."

Genesis will partner with LG CNS, the consulting and IT services arm of the LG Group, to deploy the robot to industrial clients by the end of the year. Co-founder Théophile Gervais stated in an interview that Genesis is currently raising funds to support its next phase of development.

Eno requires user training. "It doesn't wake up knowing the answer to every question, but it's smart enough that if you show it, it learns very quickly," Schmidt explained.

Genesis AI previously released a video demonstration of its technology, showing a robotic hand with "human-level capabilities" performing tasks like slicing tomatoes, cracking eggs, and playing the piano. Another video showcased the Eno robot moving boxes in a warehouse, tidying a house, and working in a laboratory.

Schmidt noted that the robot is better suited for highly specialized tasks, such as pipetting in pharmaceutical research, rather than serving as a domestic helper.

Genesis raised $105 million last year from investors including backers from the United States and China, a rare occurrence in an industry marked by significant geopolitical divisions. Its investors include Khosla Ventures, Eclipse Capital, and Sequoia China.