Tesla’s Optimus bot impresses at ‘We, Robot’ event: “Learn to be as human as you guys are”
Nickie Louise
Posted On October 11, 2024
After months of anticipation, Tesla finally revealed its Optimus bot at the ‘We, Robot’ event on Thursday, hosted by Warner Bros.The presentation didn’t disappoint the crowd, as Tesla’s humanoid robots took the stage alongside the new Robovan vehicle at the Cybercab event.
A video showcased the robot doing everyday tasks like bringing in a package and watering plants. Elon Musk, with his usual flair, quipped, “Optimus will be right there with you. You’ll be able to walk up to them, and they’ll even serve drinks.”
He called it the most significant product ever and hinted that Optimus could take on everything from walking your dog to babysitting and mowing the lawn. The price tag? Musk suggested $20,000 to $30,000 in the long run.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 11, 2024
Following the unveiling, attendees got a closer look as the robots mingled with the crowd, although their interactions were more for show than function.
When asked how he feels about being a robot, Optimus responded, “Learn to be as human as you guys are.” You can catch the rest of the conversation in the video below.
A conversation between Tesla Optimus bot and a human is the best thing you’ll see on the internet today.
— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) October 11, 2024
One-handed out small gift bags, another played rock-paper-scissors, and a group of them danced inside an enclosed gazebo. Still, they didn’t demonstrate much beyond holding drinks and casual gestures.
Tesla’s Optimus bot
Musk introduced a sleeker, faster version of the bot last year. During an April earnings call, he hinted that Optimus would start performing useful tasks by the end of this year and begin potential sales by next year.
The Optimus project has come a long way since its quirky debut in 2021 when a man in a robot suit danced onstage. But by 2022, Tesla Tesla had moved from concept to reality and the company had a working prototype that cautiously walked across the stage.
Earlier this year, Musk shared that Optimus would be ready to handle practical tasks by the end of 2023, with plans for it to hit the market in late 2024.
Musk has ambitious plans for Optimus, claiming it will transform civilization, potentially increasing economic output by “two orders of magnitude” and producing millions of units. The vision? A future where poverty doesn’t exist, thanks to affordable robots like Optimus.
With the release of Optimus, Tesla now joins the ranks of OpenAI-backed humanoid robotic startup 1X Technologies, Future, and China’s AGIBOT.
