Andy Rubin, the creator of the Android operating system, is re-entering the robotics market with a new startup called Genki Robotics. The company is reportedly based in Tokyo, Japan, and is currently assembling a team and developing initial prototypes. The name “Genki” translates from Japanese to “bright” or “healthy.” While at Google, Rubin led an ambitious robotics division and in 2013 spearheaded the acquisition of numerous startups, including the renowned Japanese company Shaft, which specializes in humanoid development.
His interest in legs, a key challenge in humanoid development, is well documented. At a 2018 tech conference, Rubin, then heading the incubator Playground Global, predicted a future where “legs are everywhere.” He argued that legged systems are essential for navigating human-oriented environments, such as climbing stairs or using elevators for “last mile” delivery tasks that wheeled machines can’t accomplish. Playground Global was also an early investor in Agility Robotics.
The decision to base Genki Robotics in Tokyo, far from the Silicon Valley hub, appears strategic. Reports suggest that Rubin is deliberately tapping into Japan’s extensive pool of robotics engineers and talented professionals from universities. This decision is based on his experience with companies like Shaft and may represent an attempt to explore opportunities in a cutting-edge engineering market, whose investment ecosystem differs from the American one.
