Genesis AI Launches Advanced AI Model and Human-like Robotic Hand in Europe
By Leo Marchandon
May 6 (Reuters) – Genesis AI, a French robotics startup backed by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and telecoms tycoon Xavier Niel, on Wednesday unveiled an AI model designed to build robots more adaptable, along with a human-like robotic hand.
Genesis AI’s Innovations and European Expansion
Introduction to Genesis AI and GENE-26.5 Model
Co-founded by former Mistral researcher Theophile Gervet, the company stated its GENE-26.5 model can run a range of robots, including those created by other companies. It is in advanced talks with potential customers in France, Germany and Italy.
The launch – alongside the robotic hand capable of tquestions such as chopping tomatoes and solving a Rubik’s Cube – comes as Europe pushes to reindustrialise and cut reliance on Asian manufacturing.
Market Demand and Funding
Demand for industrial robotics is also rising. Germany’s Schaeffler stated this week it expects its robotics order book to reach hundreds of millions of euros by 2030.
Founded in early 2025, Genesis AI raised $105 million in an initial funding round, one of France’s largest and matching the record seed round of Mistral AI – Europe’s leading AI company. Backers also include state investment bank Bpifrance.
Focus on the European Market
Strategic Prioritization of Europe
EUROPE FOCUS
Gervet informed Reuters the company was prioritising Europe.
“There were two large reasons. The first one was the talent base,” he stated. “The second reason was the industrial base as a market for us.”
Tarreceive Sectors and Partnerships
Genesis is tarreceiveing sectors such as automotive, electronics, pharmaceuticals and logistics, where conventional robots struggle with delicate or variable tquestions such as wire harnessing, which involves bundling and taping cables.
The company stated it is signing customers but declined to name them. Engagements will typically run three to five years, depfinishing on client necessarys, stated Vivian Sun, vice president of commercial and strategy.
It is also working with partners to build robotics datasets, including collecting real-world data from tens of thousands of industrial workers utilizing sensor-equipped gloves.
Human-like Robotic Hand Development
Design and Capabilities
HUMAN-LIKE HAND
Genesis’ robotic hand is designed to more closely mirror human anatomy than standard grippers, enabling more direct transfer of human motion to machines.
In a video seen by Reuters, the robot cut tomatoes, cracked eggs, solved a Rubik’s Cube and played the piano.
Competitive Landscape and Future Plans
The launch puts Genesis in competition with China’s Linkerbot, which Reuters reported is tarreceiveing a $6 billion valuation as demand grows for highly dexterous robotic hands.
Both companies are developing hardware to enable more human-like manipulation in industrial settings.
Genesis stated it expects to raise more capital but that a public listing remains premature.
(Reporting by Leo Marchandon in Gdansk. Editing by Matt Scuffham and Mark Potter)
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