{"id":91033,"date":"2025-11-14T14:26:37","date_gmt":"2025-11-14T11:26:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forklog.com\/en\/?p=91033"},"modified":"2025-11-14T14:31:32","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T11:31:32","slug":"google-unveils-ai-updates-notebooklm-a-robot-brain-and-shopping-tools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forklog.com\/en\/google-unveils-ai-updates-notebooklm-a-robot-brain-and-shopping-tools\/","title":{"rendered":"Google unveils AI updates: NotebookLM, a robot \u2018brain\u2019 and shopping tools"},"content":{"rendered":"

Google unveiled a raft of new agentic-AI features, including a Deep Research mode in NotebookLM, SIMA 2\u2014the \u201cbrain for robots\u201d\u2014and shopping tools.<\/p>\n

Deep Research in NotebookLM<\/h2>\n

Google has updated its note-taking AI assistant NotebookLM<\/a>, adding a tool to simplify complex research and support for more file types.<\/p>\n

The service introduced Deep Research, an automation tool for online search. The company says it works like an independent researcher: it can produce a detailed report or recommend relevant articles, academic papers and websites.<\/p>\n

Deep Research takes a question, drafts a research plan and scans the web. After a few minutes it delivers a source-backed report that can be added directly to the notebook.<\/p>\n

The mode runs in the background, allowing other tasks to continue in parallel.<\/p>\n

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Source: Google.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The tool is accessible via search. Users can choose a research style: the detailed Deep Research or the quicker Fast Research.<\/p>\n

NotebookLM now supports Google Sheets, Drive files via URL, PDFs from Google Drive and Microsoft Word documents.<\/p>\n

The updates will roll out within a week.<\/p>\n

NotebookLM is an AI assistant from Google for notes, research and document work. It lets users upload materials\u2014PDFs, articles, spreadsheets, images, links, legal documents, lectures\u2014and build a structured knowledge base.<\/p>\n

The service launched in 2023. Since then its capabilities have steadily expanded with AI. In early 2025, the Video Overviews feature arrived, turning complex multimedia material into clear visual presentations.<\/p>\n

In May, NotebookLM became available on Android and iOS.<\/p>\n

The future of robots<\/h2>\n

Google is pushing ahead with a \u201cbrain\u201d for robotics.<\/p>\n

Its DeepMind unit unveiled<\/a> SIMA 2, a new generation of generalist AI agent. It \u201cgoes beyond simply following instructions\u201d, starting to understand and interact with its environment.<\/p>\n

The first SIMA was trained on hundreds of hours of gameplay footage to learn to play various 3D games like a human. Introduced in March 2024, it could execute basic commands across virtual worlds, but managed complex tasks only 31% of the time.<\/p>\n

SIMA 2 draws on Gemini\u2019s language and reasoning capabilities and runs on the 2.5 flash-lite version. Accuracy has risen to 65%.<\/p>\n

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\u201cSIMA 2 is a qualitative leap over SIMA 1. It is a more generalist agent. It can perform complex tasks in a new environment it has not seen before,\u201d said<\/a> senior research scientist at DeepMind Joe Marino at a press briefing.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The assistant can teach itself\u2014improving its skills based on experience. That is a step towards more general robots and systems, Marino noted.<\/p>\n

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SIMA 2\u2019s performance is twice that of the first version. Source: Google DeepMind.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A step towards AGI<\/h3>\n

Researchers at Google\u2019s AI division stressed that work on so-called embodied agents is critical to developing general intelligence. Such an assistant must be able to interact with the physical and virtual worlds through a body\u2014like a person or a robot.<\/p>\n

A disembodied assistant can manage a calendar, take notes or execute code, Marino explained.<\/p>\n

\"image\"
Source: Google.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Senior research scientist Jane Wang, who has a neurobiology background, stressed that SIMA 2 goes far beyond ordinary game behaviour.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe require it to truly understand what is happening, what it is being asked to do, and to respond sensibly and meaningfully. That is actually quite difficult,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Integrating Gemini allowed SIMA 2 to double the metrics of its predecessor. The model combines advanced language and analytical abilities with embodied interaction skills acquired during training.<\/p>\n

Taught to play video games<\/h3>\n

Marino demonstrated SIMA 2 in No Man\u2019s Sky. The agent described its surroundings\u2014a planet\u2019s rocky surface\u2014and determined its next actions, using Gemini for internal reasoning.<\/p>\n

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