Humanoid robots master full-body movement, multi-step reasoning via Gemini Robotics 2

Google has introduced Gemini Robotics 2, a new robotics model designed to control entire humanoid robots, giving them the ability to walk, bend, balance, and manipulate objects while completing complex tasks. The company says the system can also coordinate multiple robots and adapt to different robot bodies with only a few hours of training. The release builds on Gemini Robotics introduced earlier this year, expanding capabilities beyond tabletop manipulation to full-body movement. Google is also launching two companion models: Gemini Robotics ER 2 for high-level reasoning and Gemini Robotics On-Device 2, which runs locally on robots without requiring cloud connectivity. Unlike conventional robots that are programmed for repetitive tasks, the new models are designed to reason through actions, adapt to unfamiliar environments, and carry out multi-step jobs with minimal retraining. Google said the vision-language-action model can control humanoid robots as well as dual-arm robotic systems, enabling them to carry out household and industrial tasks using both hands or robotic grippers. Beyond single-task robots One of the biggest changes is whole-body control. While earlier models focused mainly on upper-body movements, Gemini Robotics 2 enables humanoids to walk across rooms, crouch, stretch and interact with objects. During demonstrations, Google’s model controlled Apptronik’s Apollo 2 humanoid robot, directing it to pick up a watering can, walk across a room and place it on a lower shelf. The same model checkpoint was also used on other robot platforms, including Franka Duo, highlighting its ability to work across different robotic embodiments. Google said the model also improves dexterity. It can operate Apollo 2’s five-fingered robotic hands to perform tasks such as tying trash bags, sealing Ziploc bags, and unscrewing light bulbs. On industrial platforms using two-finger grippers, it can perform precise insertion tasks, tool handling, and object placement. The company is also making its embodied reasoning model, Gemini Robotics ER 2, available through Google AI Studio and in private preview on Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform. The vision-language-action and on-device models are being released to early-access partners. Smarter robotic teamwork Google says Gemini Robotics ER 2 serves as the robot’s high-level reasoning engine, allowing it to understand spoken instructions, break them into multiple steps, and monitor progress until a task is complete. The updated model can execute task sequences lasting several minutes while making hundreds of decisions. It can also recover from failed actions and adapt to changing environments instead of following fixed routines. Another new capability is multi-robot collaboration. Different types of robots can now communicate and divide work to complete jobs that would be difficult for a single machine to perform alone. For applications where internet connectivity is unavailable, Google introduced Gemini Robotics On-Device 2. The company said the model runs locally on robotic hardware and can adapt to entirely new dual-arm robot designs with fewer than 200 training examples collected over just a few hours. Google also introduced ASIMOV-Agentic, a new benchmark designed to evaluate robotic safety, including whether robots refuse unsafe actions, recognize uncertainty, and request human assistance when needed. The company said Gemini Robotics ER 2 also improves human proximity detection, allowing robots to stop safely when people move too close. Recommended ArticlesGet the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.With over a decade-long career in journalism, Neetika Walter has worked with The Economic Times, ANI, and Hindustan Times, covering politics, business, technology, and the clean energy sector. Passionate about contemporary culture, books, poetry, and storytelling, she brings depth and insight to her writing. When she isn’t chasing stories, she’s likely lost in a book or enjoying the company of her dogs.