Tesla unveiled the next-generation humanoid ‘Optimus 2nd generation’. It is 10kg lighter, allowing you to walk 30% faster than the previous 1st generation and have more flexible movements. In an introduction video, Tesla said that the new robot uses self-designed actuators and sensors and is equipped with a new neck and hand structure. The feet are equipped with force and torque sensors, articulated toes and human walking geometry, and the hands are equipped with tactile sensors for each finger to better manipulate objects.

Optimus is a humanoid robot that Tesla first unveiled on AI Day 2021. Development began at the Tesla car factory for transportation. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said manual labor is optional and that Optimus will handle dangerous, repetitive and tedious tasks.

When the prototype was released in 2022, it received a lot of criticism because it was barely able to walk and wave its hands due to its exposed interior. Since then, updates to Tesla Bot have been continuously shared through YouTube, and the recently released second generation has a much more sophisticated exterior and natural movements.

Unlike the Boston Dynamics Atlas, which has advanced motion control technology at a very expensive price, Optimus is expected to focus on performing various tasks based on AI software. It seems that the main goal will be to recognize objects and manipulate and move them in order to replace the repetitive actions that humans previously performed.

Tesla says it plans to soon use robots in its own manufacturing operations and will begin selling them once they prove useful. When introducing Optimus, we announced that we were planning to release it at around $20,000.

Musk always mixes 'jokes' with technology, and the final scene of the android dancing is funny but also feels strangely scary. What will the future look like for androids that go beyond machines and imitate personalities?

More and Sources

• https://twitter.com/Tesla_Optimus