– Elon Musk announced the development of a Tesla humanoid robot named Optimus to help with labor shortages and improve safety.
– Optimus will reportedly stand at 5’8″ and weigh 125 pounds, with physical limitations deliberately designed for safety reasons.
– Musk envisions a future where the robots could outnumber humans and make physical work optional, potentially starting shipment of units in 2025.
Elon Musk has announced that Tesla is developing a humanoid robot named Optimus to help combat the labor shortage and make physical work optional in the future. Optimus is designed to stand 5’8″ tall, weigh 125 pounds, and have physical limitations intentionally set by design. The goal is for this robot to take over menial and dangerous tasks from human workers to improve safety and potentially even outnumber humans one day.
The cost and release date of Optimus are currently unknown, but prototypes have been seen in some Tesla stores and showrooms. In 2022, a semi-functional prototype of Optimus was showcased at Tesla’s AI day, demonstrating some capabilities like waving to the crowd and completing chores. Updates have shown marked improvements, with Optimus now able to walk on its own and complete more complex tasks.
Despite Musk’s prediction that Tesla could begin shipping units of Optimus in 2025, he acknowledges the uncertainty of the timeline given the uncharted territory of humanoid robot development. Musk has stated that the goal is to eventually put Optimus to work in Tesla’s factories and make it available for purchase by the public. Updates on the progress of Optimus are expected to be shared regularly with the public.