Tesla has introduced “Optimus Gen 2,” the latest iteration of its humanoid robot designed to handle repetitive tasks traditionally performed by humans.
Initially dubbed “Tesla Bot” or “Optimus,” the humanoid robot faced scepticism, particularly after its debut, where CEO Elon Musk presented a dancer in a robot costume as a visual representation. The demonstration at “Tesla AI Day” also left much to be desired, showcasing a basic prototype with limited capabilities, primarily walking and waving.
Despite the early setbacks, Tesla remained committed to the idea, leveraging its expertise in “AI, electric motors, and batteries” from its self-driving vehicle program to create a versatile humanoid robot. The concept aimed to replace human labour in certain tasks with machines inspired by Tesla’s vehicles, which Musk referred to as “robots on wheels.”
Over time, Tesla’s humanoid robot project gained credibility, with updates at the “2023 shareholders meeting” showcasing more advanced prototypes performing practical tasks. By September, Tesla reported that “Optimus was undergoing training using neural nets” and demonstrating improved autonomy, such as autonomously sorting objects.
In the latest development, Tesla has unveiled “Optimus Gen 2,” featuring all Tesla-designed actuators and sensors, presenting a more refined and capable version. According to Tesla, the robot can now “walk 30% faster,” with a “10 kg weight reduction” contributing to improved balance. The company showcased Optimus Gen 2 in a video, demonstrating a “squat while maintaining balance.”
One of the significant challenges in humanoid robot development lies in creating functional hands—strong enough to support weight yet precise enough for delicate tasks. Tesla addressed this with “Optimus Gen 2, introducing new hands” that appear to be a crucial upgrade.
Tesla announced plans to “integrate the robot into its manufacturing operations” and, upon proving its utility, to make it available for sale. Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, expressed confidence in the project, stating that “Optimus stuff is extremely underrated” and predicting potential demand in the range of “10 to 20 billion units,” asserting that Optimus could account for a “majority of Tesla’s long-term value.”
