Tesla has disclosed the latest update to their Optimus humanoid robot, demonstrating its enhanced dexterity that enables it to perform detail-oriented tasks such as cooking eggs. The improvements found in Optimus Gen 2, including the better actuators and sensors, have contributed to a 30 percent increase in speed compared to the first model, the company said. Moreover, the second iteration weighs 10kg less and boasts significantly improved balance, a leap forward in Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s plan to automate all physical labor and advance manufacturing processes.
Musk’s vision for the Optimus robot is a “general-purpose, bi-pedal, autonomous humanoid robot capable of performing unsafe, repetitive, or boring tasks,” with implications that could potentially surpass the significance of Tesla’s electric vehicle business. The CEO stated in 2021, “Essentially in the future, physical work will be a choice,” highlighting potential implications for the economy grounded on labor.
Moreover, Musk revealed his belief that the Optimus robot is integral to Tesla’s transformation to a $10 trillion company, up from its current $750 billion market value. The latest Optimus model signifies substantial progress, following a prototype revealed last year that could not walk unassisted. A commercial version of Optimus is expected to be ready for customers within three to five years, according to Musk. However, Tesla has not yet disclosed an official release date or set a price for the robot.