At We, Robot event, the much-awaited Tesla Cybercab took centre stage.
According to Musk, the potential of the Optimus robot is nearly limitless. He mentioned that the robot can perform tasks like walking your dog, babysitting, mowing the lawn, and even serving drinks.
However, Elon Musk also used the occasion to showcase Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, which he boldly claims can now “do anything.” "The Optimus will walk among you," Musk stated, adding, "You’ll be able to walk right up to them, and they will serve drinks."
He predicted that the long-term cost would be between $20,000 and $30,000. Musk confidently asserted, "I believe this will be the most significant product ever created."
Musk added, "I think everyone among the 8 billion people on Earth will want an Optimus buddy."
“Optimus robot will revolutionise the world more than ever!” Musk said in a post on X.
Advancements in Optimus: Gen 2 robots
In December 2023, Tesla introduced the latest version of the humanoid robot, Optimus Gen 2. This iteration brings notable upgrades over its predecessor, which could mainly walk and talk. The Gen 2 version features faster walking speeds, improved hand mobility, tactile sensors on its fingers, and several other advancements.
Earlier this year, Musk shared a video on X (formerly Twitter) where Optimus demonstrated a new skill—folding shirts. In the clip, the robot picked up a shirt from a basket and folded it neatly on a table. The post was titled, "Optimus folds a shirt."
Musk also released another video showing Optimus walking with a human-like gait. Reactions to the video ranged from awe to mild unease, as the humanoid’s movements were eerily lifelike.
The origins of Tesla’s humanoid robot
Tesla first introduced the concept of the Optimus robot, also referred to as Tesla Bot, during AI Day in 2021. The goal was to create a versatile machine capable of taking over tasks that are dangerous, repetitive, or dull for humans.
Though still under development, Tesla continues to update and demonstrate Optimus' progress. The recent event showcased advancements in the Gen 2 model, marking another step forward in its evolution.
Source: business-standard.com