Genesis AI shows new robotics model and human-sized robotic hands

In short: Genesis AI released its first AI model for robots, called GENE-26.5, and showed robotic hands it built performing complex tasks.

What happened

Genesis AI, a robotics startup backed by Khosla Ventures, introduced its first AI model, GENE-26.5. An AI model is the “brain” software that helps a robot decide what to do next, based on what it sees and senses.

Alongside the model, the company shared a demo video of robotic hands it designed and built in-house. The hands did a range of tasks, including cracking an egg, slicing a tomato, making smoothies, playing the piano, and solving a Rubik’s Cube.

Genesis says it chose to build both the software and the hardware, which it described as going “full stack.” The company’s goal is tighter control over how the robot learns, similar to writing a recipe and also choosing the exact kitchen tools.

One design choice is that the robotic hand is close to the size and shape of a human hand, instead of a simpler two-finger gripper. Genesis also built a sensor-filled glove that mirrors the robot hand. It can collect detailed movement data from people doing real jobs, such as lab work or manufacturing.

The company raised a $105 million seed round in 2025 and has teams in Paris, California, and London. Genesis also said it plans to reveal a full-body, general-purpose robot in the future.

Why it matters

If robots are going to help with real workplace tasks, they need to handle many objects safely and reliably, not just pick up boxes. Genesis is betting that human-like hands and better training data, including data collected from people wearing gloves and filming tasks, can make robots more capable. It also raises practical questions about whether workers will want to help train systems that could later replace some jobs, and how that data will be used.

Source: TechCrunch AI