Tesla Unveils Optimus Gen 2.0 Humanoid Robot

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Facts

  • On Tuesday night, Tesla unveiled a new version of its humanoid robot called the Optimus 2.0, also known as a Tesla Bot, posting a video of the robot doing a squat without falling over and picking up an egg without breaking it on X.1
  • The new release follows a September update that showed Tesla’s earlier Optimus sorting different-colored objects and doing yoga stretches. Tesla CEO Elon Musk first revealed the Optimus robotics program in 2021, which was initially met with skepticism by some analysts.1
  • However, the newly updated Optimus displayed marked improvements over its predecessor, which was criticized for awkwardly shuffling across the stage at Tesla AI Day last year. Tesla says the new Optimus is 30% faster and 22 lbs lighter than last year’s Android and features tactical sensors on each fingertip for improved dexterity.2
  • On Wednesday, Musk shared the robot’s demo video on his X page with a caption reading “Optimus.” In addition to its new features, the video showed two robots dancing. Tesla says it plans to start using the robot in its manufacturing operations.3
  • While the newest generation isn't currently designed for production or sale, it is said to represent a breakthrough in Musk’s efforts to replace human labor with artificial intelligence. Musk has said that he wants robots to take over dangerous and menial jobs currently done by humans.4
  • Tesla isn’t alone in the development of humanoid robots. In October, Amazon revealed its Digit robot — which stands at 5 -foot-9, weighs 65kg (143 lbs), and can carry up to 35kg (77 lbs) — that can lift and sort empty baskets in its warehouse. Meanwhile, Hyundai-owned Boston Dynamics has a headless robot called Atlas that can run and jump.5

Sources: 1The telegraph, 2Futurism, 3Ndtv.com, 4Ars technica and 5Msn.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Thestreet. While the Musk-hating establishment mocked previous iterations of Tesla’s Optimus Bot, the newly unveiled Optimus 2.0 has silenced many critics by displaying Musk’s ingenuity. In just a short period, Tesla has vastly improved the bot’s size and functionality while showing the android performing various neat tricks. Musk is certainly a very ambitious man that most people cannot understand. However, his company continues to push boundaries, and it's not unthinkable that he could pull off creating a functional humanoid robot that can perform dangerous jobs currently performed by humans.
  • Narrative B, as provided by The sun. Elon Musk is back again with another strange Tesla brainchild, unveiling the disturbingly creepy Optimus 2.0 robot. The video of the robot cracking an egg and dancing is unsettling, to say the least, but it does show just how far madman Musk will go to replace Tesla’s workforce with robots. The Tesla Bot proved to be an embarrassment when it debuted last year, and while its successor has many improvements, it remains to be seen if it can fulfill Musk’s vision. Nonetheless, a “successful” robot could be the worst outcome for everyone — except for the billionaire and his henchmen.

Predictions