Could Europe’s next industrial revolution come with robot hands that can chop tomatoes and solve a Rubik’s Cube? A French startup certainly thinks so.
Genesis AI unveiled a new artificial intelligence model called GENE-26.5.
Alongside a remarkably human-like robotic hand, aiming to make robots far more flexible and useful in real-world factories.
The Paris-based company, founded by former Mistral AI researcher Theophile Gervet, says its software can power robots made by different manufacturers.
A major shift in an industry where machines are often locked into narrow, repetitive tasks.
And investors are paying attention. Backed by former Google boss Eric Schmidt and telecom billionaire Xavier Niel, the startup has already raised a staggering $105 million.
Why Does This Matter?
Europe is racing to rebuild its industrial muscle and reduce dependence on Asian manufacturing.
Companies increasingly want robots that can handle delicate jobs like sorting cables, packaging medicines, or adapting on the fly inside busy warehouses.
“The first reason was the talent base,” Gervet said, explaining why Genesis chose Europe.
“The second reason was the industrial base as a market for us.”
In other words, the robot race is no longer just about machines.
It’s about who controls the future of manufacturing — and Europe clearly doesn’t want to sit on the sidelines.
