Optimus: Take a look at Tesla's new humanoid robot
This week, Tesla once again surprised the tech world when its humanoid robot “Optimus” flirted with the crowd during the unveiling of the company's robo-van.
The robots not only walk among the attendees but also speak with human-like accents, using modern slang and incorporating verbal pauses as if they were a natural part of our daily lives.
Tesla doesn't just seem to be building robots to perform tasks but characters that sound as human as possible.
Although the robots were actors mingling with the crowd, they demonstrated, according to the company, the potential capabilities of the robots that will soon be marketed.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 11, 2024
During the event, Optimus walks out of a warehouse and into the crowd, demonstrating his ability to perform everyday tasks such as picking up packages from balconies or watering plants. Alongside this was the unveiling of the new Robo-Van.
“Optimus will walk into you,” says Tesla CEO Elon Musk. “You'll be able to walk up to them, and they'll be able to offer you a drink.”
Kasturi promises that these robots can do “everything” including walking the dog, babysitting and mowing the lawn.
And the price? Musk mentioned that the robot will cost between $20,000 and $30,000.
Interaction with people
But it's not just about practical abilities – Optimus knows how to “sound”.
After the presentation, videos show the robots interacting with guests, chatting around the table and playing party games. A robot even played rock-paper-scissors with visitors and handed out small gift bags. The highlight came when several robots were seen dancing inside a gazebo, adding to the excitement of the event.
However, it should be noted that the robots seen in the videos were actors, only demonstrating the potential future capabilities of robots and were not performing tasks autonomously.
Tesla first revealed plans for the humanoid robot Optimus in 2021, but at the time, it was widely seen as a joke when a man in a robot costume danced on stage.
A year later, in 2022, Tesla unveiled a primitive prototype that cautiously moved across the stage. Since then, Optimus has undergone significant improvements, and the current model is lighter and faster, capabilities that bring it closer to working alongside humans in everyday life.
Musk presented Optimus not just as a robot that would make everyday tasks easier but as a technology that would change the world. According to him, “this will be the biggest revolution of any kind,” and he predicts that when millions of units are produced in the future, it will significantly boost the world economy.
Musk claims that robots can “end poverty” because of the huge benefits they can bring to improve labor productivity.
The current development status indicates that Optimus is already at an advanced stage. According to Musk's statement in April 2024, the robot is expected to begin performing “useful” tasks by the end of this year, and could be available in external markets by the end of 2025. This means that Tesla's robot may soon become one. An integral part of many people's daily lives.
As mentioned, Musk estimates that in the long term, the price will be between $20,000 and $30,000. At such a price, the robot can be accessible to a wide range of consumers, both personal and business. Initially, its primary uses may focus on basic tasks such as cleaning, security or home support. However, over time, the robot could also be integrated into more complex fields, such as medical assistance or education.
The future Tesla showcased at a recent event is not only about technology but also about how this technology will blend into everyday life. Humanoid robots like Optimus don't just perform practical tasks; Tesla has invested equally in their look and sound. The goal is to create robots that feel natural in their interactions with humans, speaking with accents close to human speech, incorporating natural pauses and using slang like some of the words we might say.
If Tesla succeeds in seamlessly integrating Optimus into everyday life, we could be on the brink of a new era in which robots not only perform tasks but become embedded in human society in unprecedented ways.
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