Tesla has introduced the next evolution of its humanoid robot, Optimus Gen 2, designed to handle repetitive tasks with remarkable precision and balance. Known initially as the Tesla Bot, the first version didn't garner much attention, but the new Gen 2 is 30% faster, lighter, smoother, and more capable.
Tesla and Elon Musk entered the humanoid robot industry just over two years ago. When we saw the first prototype last year, the robot appeared quite "bland." However, in March of this year, the company showcased a much more advanced version. Now, just ten months later, we have the brand new Optimus Gen 2.
Optimus Gen 2 features a two-axis neck, integrated electronics and wiring, articulated foot sections, and force/torque sensors, giving it a more human-like form. It also boasts 11 degrees of freedom, faster actuators, and brand-new hands with touch sensors in all fingers to handle objects more skillfully. It looks more aerodynamic and humanoid, moves more smoothly, and balances better. Despite all these improvements, the robot itself is now 10% lighter.
Although Optimus Gen 2 seems like a significant step forward, it is still quite behind Boston Dynamics and its extraordinary Atlas robot. However, Tesla’s development pace is much faster. While the hardware showcased by Tesla and similar companies looks impressive, hardware is probably the least of the obstacles. The real challenge for humanoid robot manufacturers is to prove that their robots can perform real-world tasks in a repeatable, reliable, and flexible manner.
Nevertheless, Tesla is one of the companies closest to this ultimate goal. The company announced plans to start using the robot in its production operations soon. After proving its utility, Tesla plans to start selling the robot. Leveraging its expertise in AI from its self-driving car program and its proficiency in batteries and electric motors, Tesla believes this is achievable.