A video shared on the company’s social media handles shows the robot adjusting its hands to catch tennis balls thrown at high speed, finishing with a nod to express satisfaction.
Tesla plans to deploy pre-production prototypes of Optimus in its factories by late next year, and production units will be available to other companies by 2026.
The firm describes the Opitmus as a general-purpose, bi-pedal, humanoid robot capable of performing tasks that are unsafe, repetitive, or boring.
Earlier this month, Optimus humorously mimicked frustration after losing a rock-paper-scissors game, raising its hands and nodding, adding a human-like touch.
AI-powered humanoid
Tesla’s Optimus robot marks a significant step into humanoid robotics, blending advanced AI and innovative engineering to assist with tasks in industrial and domestic settings.Optimus is 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 125 pounds. It features a human-like design and uses lightweight yet durable materials for versatility and efficiency. Its 2.3 kWh battery, managed by Tesla’s proprietary system, supports extended operation, balancing energy for light or intensive tasks.
Equipped with 40 electromechanical actuators, Optimus boasts a human-like range of motion, enabling bipedal walking and precise handling of objects. It moves at speeds up to 5 mph, carrying loads of up to 45 pounds, ideal for various tasks.
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology powers its AI, offering environmental awareness, obstacle navigation, and human-command responses. Cameras on their “face” provide depth perception, object recognition, and spatial mapping, enhancing adaptability.
Safety is central to Optimus, with proximity sensors and algorithms ensuring human-safe interactions. It responds to voice commands, understands conversational context, and performs tasks gently yet efficiently.
Tesla envisions applications in manufacturing, assembly lines, and household chores like cleaning and organizing. Its potential extends to healthcare and emergency services, aiding caregivers, or participating in rescue missions.
Tesla’s robotic ambitions
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is heavily invested in developing the Optimus robot program.Musk envisions a transformative future for humanoid robotics. He projects that Optimus robots, potentially available for purchase next year, could position Tesla as a $25 trillion company. He anticipates over 1,000 of these robots working in Tesla’s factories by 2025.
During Tesla’s 2024 annual shareholder meeting in Austin, Texas, Musk outlined ambitious goals for the company, including surpassing the valuation of the world’s most valuable firms, currently around $3 trillion each.
Tesla’s Optimus robots, priced at approximately $20,000, are expected to yield significant profitability, with estimated production costs of $10,000 per unit. Musk envisions a massive market for humanoid robots, predicting global demand at one billion units annually, with Tesla capturing a 10 percent share.
Tesla has already showcased Optimus's capabilities, including autonomous operation at its primary US factory and dexterous tasks in promotional demos. By 2026, the software for these robots is expected to be fully customizable.
While Musk’s achievements in space exploration and electric vehicles are notable, some claims, such as Tesla’s cars achieving full autonomy, remain unfulfilled. His bold statements often require cautious optimism, given his mixed track record for delivering on ambitious promises.
Tesla’s “We, Robot” event showcased Optimus robots, but many actions required human intervention, raising doubts about their true autonomy and market readiness despite the impressive presentation.
Source: Yahoo News