Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview vs GLM-5.1
Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview (2026) and GLM-5.1 (2026) are frontier-tier reasoning models from Google DeepMind and Zhipu AI. Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview ships a 128k-token context window, while GLM-5.1 ships a 200k-token context window. This comparison covers specs, pricing, API access, capabilities, benchmarks, input and output token costs, and production fit for coding and agent workloads. It focuses on practical selection signals rather than broad model-family marketing.
Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview is safer overall; choose GLM-5.1 when coding workflow support matters.
Decision scorecard
Local evidence first| Signal | Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview | GLM-5.1 |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | reasoning-heavy apps, multimodal apps, and tool-calling agents | reasoning-heavy apps, tool-calling agents, and provider-routed production |
| Decision fit | RAG, Agents, and Long context | Coding, RAG, and Agents |
| Context window | 128k | 200k |
| Cheapest output | - | $3.08/1M tokens |
| Provider routes | 0 tracked | 5 tracked |
| Shared benchmarks | 0 rows | 0 rows |
Decision tradeoffs
- Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview uniquely exposes Vision and Multimodal in local model data.
- Local decision data tags Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview for RAG, Agents, and Long context.
- GLM-5.1 has the larger context window for long prompts, retrieval packs, or transcript analysis.
- GLM-5.1 has broader tracked provider coverage for fallback and procurement flexibility.
- GLM-5.1 uniquely exposes Code execution in local model data.
- Local decision data tags GLM-5.1 for Coding, RAG, and Agents.
Monthly cost at traffic
Estimate token spend from the cheapest tracked input and output route or tier on this page.
Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview
Unavailable
No complete token price in local provider data
GLM-5.1
$1,554
Cheapest tracked route/tier: Z.ai
Cost delta unavailable until both models have sourced input and output token prices.
Switch friction
- No overlapping tracked provider route is sourced for Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview and GLM-5.1; plan for SDK, billing, or endpoint changes.
- Check replacement coverage for Vision and Multimodal before moving production traffic.
- GLM-5.1 adds Code execution in local capability data.
- No overlapping tracked provider route is sourced for GLM-5.1 and Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview; plan for SDK, billing, or endpoint changes.
- Check replacement coverage for Code execution before moving production traffic.
- Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview adds Vision and Multimodal in local capability data.
Specs
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2026-04-14 | 2026-04-07 |
| Context window | 128k | 200k |
| Parameters | — | 754B total, 40B active |
| Architecture | decoder only | mixture of experts |
| License | Proprietary | MIT |
| Knowledge cutoff | - | 2025-11 |
Pricing and availability
| Pricing attribute | Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview | GLM-5.1 |
|---|---|---|
| Input price | - | $0.98/1M tokens |
| Output price | - | $3.08/1M tokens |
| Providers | - |
Capabilities
| Capability | Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview | GLM-5.1 |
|---|---|---|
| Vision | Yes | No |
| Multimodal | Yes | No |
| Reasoning | Yes | Yes |
| Function calling | Yes | Yes |
| Tool use | Yes | Yes |
| Structured outputs | Yes | Yes |
| Code execution | No | Yes |
| IDE integration | No | No |
| Computer use | No | No |
| Parallel agents | No | No |
Benchmarks
No shared benchmark rows are currently sourced for this pair.
Deep dive
The capability footprint differs most on vision: Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview, multimodal input: Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview, and code execution: GLM-5.1. Both models share reasoning mode, function calling, tool use, and structured outputs, so the practical split is not just feature count. Use those differences to decide whether the page is about raw model quality, agentic coding support, multimodal ingestion, or predictable structured API behavior.
Pricing coverage is uneven: Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview has no token price sourced yet and GLM-5.1 has $0.98/1M input tokens. Provider availability is 0 tracked routes versus 5. Treat unknown pricing as an integration gap, then verify the route you will actually call before estimating production spend.
Choose Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview when vision-heavy evaluation are central to the workload. Choose GLM-5.1 when coding workflow support, larger context windows, and broader provider choice are more important. For production, rerun your own prompts through the exact provider, region, and tool stack you plan to ship. This keeps the decision grounded in measurable tradeoffs instead of brand-level assumptions. It also helps separate model capability from provider packaging, which can change cost and latency.
FAQ
Which has a larger context window, Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview or GLM-5.1?
GLM-5.1 supports 200k tokens, while Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview supports 128k tokens. That gap matters most for long documents, large codebases, retrieval-heavy agents, and conversations where earlier context must remain visible.
Is Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview or GLM-5.1 open source?
Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview is listed under Proprietary. GLM-5.1 is listed under MIT. License labels affect whether you can self-host, redistribute weights, or rely only on hosted APIs, so confirm the upstream license before deployment.
Which is better for vision, Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview or GLM-5.1?
Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview has the clearer documented vision signal in this comparison. If vision is mission-critical, validate it against the provider endpoint because model-level support and API-level exposure can differ.
Which is better for multimodal input, Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview or GLM-5.1?
Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview has the clearer documented multimodal input signal in this comparison. If multimodal input is mission-critical, validate it against the provider endpoint because model-level support and API-level exposure can differ.
Which is better for reasoning mode, Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview or GLM-5.1?
Both Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview and GLM-5.1 expose reasoning mode. The better choice depends on benchmark fit, context budget, pricing, and whether your provider route exposes the same capability surface.
Where can I run Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview and GLM-5.1?
Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 Preview is available on the tracked providers still being sourced. GLM-5.1 is available on Z.ai, OpenRouter, Fireworks AI, Vercel AI Gateway, and Novita AI. Provider coverage can affect latency, region availability, compliance posture, and fallback options.
Continue comparing
Last reviewed: 2026-05-25. Data sourced from public model cards and provider documentation.