Elon Musk, the renowned entrepreneur, recently unveiled Tesla’s revolutionary creation—a humanoid robot named Optimus.This remarkable innovation aims to address labor shortages while prioritizing worker safety.
While the concept holds enormous potential, there is still a considerable journey ahead before Optimus is production-ready and accessible to the public.
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Previous reports indicate that Optimus stands at 5’8″ and weighs 125 pounds. Its impressive capabilities include the ability to deadlift more than its weight and carry loads up to 45 pounds, while moving at a speed of 5 miles per hour.
Elon Musk intentionally designed the robot with these physical limitations to ensure public safety. In a lighthearted YouTube video, Musk jokingly stated that one could easily outrun or overpower the robot, emphasizing its intended design.
While some may view these limitations as drawbacks, they address concerns stemming from fictional depictions of robots overpowering humanity in movies like the Terminator series.
However, there will undoubtedly be scenarios where a robot capable of lifting heavier loads would be highly advantageous.
Musk’s vision for Optimus revolves around automating menial and hazardous tasks, leading to improved safety for human workers.
During Tesla’s AI event in 2021, Musk expressed his support for a future minimum basic income and a world where physical work becomes a choice. Optimus will leverage Tesla’s Autopilot software, integrating data from eight cameras into its neural network.
The cost and release date of Optimus remain undisclosed at this time. However, non-functional replicas of the robot have been showcased at select Tesla stores and showrooms.
In a significant development last year, the world witnessed a partially functional Optimus robot during Tesla’s AI day. Unlike its debut in 2021, this prototype was not a person dancing in a bodysuit; it waved to the audience in real-time.
Although it required assistance to walk independently, Optimus was showcased in a prerecorded video successfully completing tasks like watering plants and demonstrating its lifting capabilities in a factory setting.
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March of this year brought another exciting development when Musk predicted that Optimus robots could potentially outnumber humans in the future.
The latest update video showcased marked improvements, featuring Optimus walking unassisted and effortlessly handling more complex tasks.
