Google DeepMind releases Gemini Robotics 2.5 to robotics partners, with a Mercedes factory pilot
Announced · Published · By Contractor AI Shop
Google DeepMind released Gemini Robotics 2.5, a vision-language-action model for robots, to robotics partners only. DeepMind says the model hit a 96% success rate in a Mercedes-Benz factory pilot with Apptronik's Apollo 2 humanoid, which kitted parts on production lines.
Key facts
- On Nov 10, 2026, Google DeepMind (Carolina Parada) introduced Gemini Robotics 2.5, which it calls its most capable vision-language-action model to date. DeepMind says the model is rolling out to its robotics partners. Google DeepMind (Carolina Parada)
- DeepMind says it evaluated the model across more than 200 distinct tasks and that, compared with previous baselines, Gemini Robotics 2.5 achieved a 30% to 100% higher success rate depending on the type of task, while completing tasks 20% to 30% faster. Google DeepMind (Carolina Parada)
- DeepMind says that in a proof-of-concept on Mercedes-Benz production lines, its models helped Apptronik's Apollo 2 humanoid pick and pack automotive parts — kitting parts from bulk bins into sequenced trays — at a 96% success rate. Google DeepMind (Carolina Parada)
- Ars Technica (Ryan Whitwam, Nov 10) reports that the 2.5 model still runs on cloud servers, that partners include Agile Robots, Apptronik and Boston Dynamics, and that DeepMind director Kanishka Rao called closing the remaining 4% gap a "steep road." Ars Technica (Ryan Whitwam)
- The Verge (Jay Peters, Nov 10) covered the release, quoting DeepMind's Carolina Parada on greater task performance and dexterity, including tool use and handling deformable and delicate objects. The Verge (Jay Peters)
Our take: what it means for contractors
This is not a jobsite tool yet — the documented pilot is factory kitting. It is the model family humanoid makers are building on, so it is the one to watch for repetitive site-logistics work such as material staging and kitting.
What we don't know yet
- Any construction partner or jobsite pilot
- Pricing or API access (DeepMind is rolling it out to robotics partners only; none is stated)
- Whether the model can run on the robot rather than in the cloud
Sources
- Google DeepMind (Carolina Parada) · Gemini Robotics 2.5 accelerates real-world general dexterity · 2026-11-10 · Primary
- Ars Technica (Ryan Whitwam) · DeepMind reveals Gemini Robotics 2.5 and open safety benchmark “ASIMOV-jailbreak” · 2026-11-10 · Secondary
- The Verge (Jay Peters) · Google DeepMind’s new AI model gives robots improved dexterity · 2026-11-10 · Secondary