Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has caused a stir with the reveal of a new video featuring Optimus, the humanoid robot prototype developed by his electric vehicle company. The video shows the 1.70-meter-tall, 54-kilo robot walking slowly while a group of spectators watches. The robot can self-calibrate its arms and legs, and even perform yoga poses.
The unveiling of Optimus took place during Tesla’s Artificial Intelligence event in August 2021, sparking ongoing discussions about the advances and potential implications of this technology. The most developed version of the automaton, “Optimus Gen 2,” was presented in December 2023, showcasing a more compact and efficient design with improved mobility and sensitivity.
While the billionaire has set ambitious expectations for Optimus, projecting its potential release for next year, doubts arise considering his track record of missed deadlines. However, Musk has assured that the robot will likely cost less than $20,000 and emphasized that it is intended to complement the human workforce, not replace it.
However, competition in the field of robotics is advancing rapidly, with companies such as Figure AI, Apptronik, and Agility Robotics actively collaborating with Amazon in the implementation of androids in their warehouses. Musk has attempted to reassure about Optimus’ safety, assuring that the robot would be protected from malware by not allowing centralized control.
Despite claims from Musk that Tesla is the world‘s largest robot maker and Optimus is the most sophisticated humanoid robot to date, expectations may need adjustment, considering technical and manufacturing challenges, emerging security concerns, and the presence of significant competitors on the horizon.
The unveiling of Optimus has sparked a wide range of comments online, from expressions of fascination with the technological leap to concerns about the future coexistence between humans and intelligent robots. The debate has also grown about the impact of automation on society, but Musk remains optimistic about the potential of Optimus.