Tesla’s humanoid robot Optimus is making waves in the robotics world, showcasing its rapidly evolving capabilities. In a newly released 38-second video, Optimus is seen confidently navigating uneven and soft terrain. The highlight comes at the end, where the robot impressively recovers its balance after slipping on a steep slope, demonstrating advanced self-stabilization.
The video, which has already racked up 47 million views, might seem amusing at first, but it underscores a major milestone in robotics engineering. Optimus is powered by Tesla’s in-house neural networks that control its electric limbs. Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, shared the clip on X, stating, “Optimus can now navigate uneven, unstable terrains, thanks to its neural network-driven system.”
Milan Kovac, Tesla’s Vice President and the head of its robotics division, provided additional insights into the video. Optimus is shown slipping on wood chips, a notoriously unstable surface that even Kovac admitted to slipping on before. What’s groundbreaking, he explained, is that Optimus achieves this balance without any external guidance systems. The robot is “essentially blind,” using only its built-in sensors and onboard processing to maintain stability. This combination of real-time data processing and intelligent design allows the robot to adapt dynamically to its environment.
Tesla’s long-term vision for Optimus doesn’t stop here. Kovac revealed that the team is working on integrating a vision system that will allow the robot to map its surroundings, plan its steps more intelligently, and interact with objects and people. They are also fine-tuning its gait for more natural movement and developing a fall-protection mechanism to minimize damage in unavoidable situations.
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Optimus debuted in August 2021 during Tesla’s AI Day, with a prototype revealed in September 2022 at the event's second iteration. By December 2023, Tesla showcased the second-generation Optimus, which featured significant improvements in movement precision and fine motor skills.
In October of this year, at the We, Robot event, Elon Musk unveiled an upgraded version of Optimus with enhanced features, including the ability to interact with an audience, dance, and even prepare drinks. However, reports soon surfaced suggesting that some of these actions were remotely controlled by Tesla employees, raising questions about the robot’s true level of autonomy.
Looking ahead, Musk envisions a future where thousands of Optimus robots will work alongside Tesla employees in factories as early as next year. These robots are designed to take on dangerous, repetitive, or tedious tasks, freeing human workers for more complex roles. However, given Musk’s tendency to push deadlines, this timeline may stretch further into the future.
As for the general public, Tesla is eyeing a commercial launch for Optimus in 2026, with each unit expected to cost around $30,000. Musk has ambitious plans for Optimus, imagining it as a versatile household assistant capable of handling a wide range of tasks: caring for children, walking the dog, mowing the lawn, grocery shopping, providing companionship, and even serving drinks.
While there’s still a way to go before these robots become mainstream, Optimus is already proving to be a fascinating glimpse into the future of humanoid robotics. Tesla’s innovative approach, combining neural networks, real-time data processing, and advanced engineering, is setting the stage for a paradigm shift in how robots integrate into our daily lives.