Tesla’s Gen 2 Optimus Bot Is A Huge Leap Forward In Robot Technology

Tesla’s Gen 2 Optimus Bot Is A Huge Leap Forward In Robot Technology

Time Stamp: February 27, 2024 10:28 AM

Tyler Cross


Tyler Cross

Published on: February 27, 2024

New videos from the tech giant, Tesla, showcase its newest robotics model and the wide range of tasks it can carry out. The first generation of Optimus was announced in August 2021, and by 2022 it already had a working model that demonstrated simple abilities. The humanoid robot demonstrated primitive abilities, such as walking and basic arm movement.

By September 2023, the working prototype had evolved remarkably. It could order blocks by color, locate its limbs in real time, and maintain flexible poses.

The new Optimus Gen 2 that Tesla showcased in 2023 and recently shared a few clips of is another massive jump in robotics technology. Instead of slow and stiff movement, the robot can be seen strolling around its lab, emulating human movement (to an extent).

The model features 10kg of reduced weight and a 30% boost in the speed it can move and carry out activities. It was seen dexterously folding clothing, transporting items between containers, and performing various household tasks.

It also features artificial intelligence that powers its decision-making abilities and a chest camera that enables facial recognition.

It still requires the supervision of scientists to accurately carry out these tasks, however. It isn’t a fully autonomous robot quite yet, nor is it anywhere near ready for the market. Still, in just three years we’ve gone from an announcement to a metal husk that couldn’t raise its arms, to a walking robot capable of folding clothing.

Its movements aren’t perfect yet, it’s still pretty ape-like and triggers an uncanny valley effect, but it’s a huge leap forward.

Between the explosion of AI and the rapid development in humanoid robotics from companies like Tesla, a truly functional robot may not be far off.

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