TechCapsules

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Genesis AI, a startup founded in December 2022, has emerged from stealth mode with a substantial $105 million seed round co-led by Eclipse Ventures and Khosla Ventures. The company, founded by Zhou Xian, a PhD in robotics from Carnegie Mellon University, and Théophile Gervet, a former research scientist with the French AI lab Mistral, aims to develop a foundational model that will power various types of robots. The startup's goal is to create a general-purpose model that will enable robots to automate a wide range of repetitive tasks, such as laboratory work and housekeeping chores. In order to achieve this, Genesis AI is working on developing AI models for robotics, which require training on data from the physical world. However, acquiring this real-world data is a costly and time-consuming endeavor. To overcome this challenge, Genesis AI is utilizing synthetic data, which is generated using a proprietary physics engine. This engine is capable of accurately modeling the physical world, allowing the company to simulate various scenarios and train its AI models. The synthetic data engine originated from an academic project led by Xian in collaboration with researchers from 18 universities. Several participants from that project have since joined Genesis AI, making up its current staff of over 20 researchers who specialize in robotics, machine learning, and graphics. The company claims that its proprietary simulation engine allows it to generate high-quality synthetic data, which is essential for training AI models that can effectively power robots. With its significant seed funding, Genesis AI is well-positioned to continue developing its innovative technology and making strides in the field of robotics.