In 2021, Tesla revealed its intention to create an AI-powered humanoid robot. Then last year, it unveiled the development prototype which still can’t walk and moves rather awkwardly. Fast forward to December 14, 2023, Tesla has unveiled a demo video showing the latest version of Optimus.
If the video demo was to be believed, Tesla Optimus Gen 2 have progressed a lot. Like crazy lot, well, at least as far as head and hand movement, and articulation of digits which it showed it can handle a delicate object such as an egg. Apparently, everything we see on the video is real not CGI, and no speeding up of the video either.
Anyhoo, it was all super impressive until it started to walk. The illusion of the future is here breaks when it started walking like it has crap its pants. In other words, it walks like the typical humanoid robot walk which we have seen seen Asimo’s days.
Optimus Gen 2 features Tesla-designed actuators and sensors, a 2-DoF actuated neck, actuators-integrated electronics and harnessing, a 30% walk speed boost, human foot geometry with foot force/torque sensing articulated toe sections, 10 kilograms (22 lbs) overall weight reduction without sacrificing anything, improved balance and full-body control, and brand new hands with 11-DoF that are faster and with tactile sensing on all fingers that allows it to handle delicate objects.
If what we see is real, then I’d say we are pretty close to an I, Robot future.
Images: Tesla.
via ars Technica.