Articles tagged with "Tesla-Optimus"
Chinese parts challenge Optimus humanoid robot production goals in US
Tesla CEO Elon Musk aims to shift production of the Optimus humanoid robot to the US by repurposing its Fremont EV factory, targeting an ambitious output of 1 million units annually. However, Tesla faces a significant challenge due to its heavy reliance on Chinese-made components, which constitute the majority of Optimus’s parts such as actuators, motors, reducers, and vision systems. Morgan Stanley estimates that removing Chinese components from the supply chain would increase costs from $46,000 to $131,000 per unit, conflicting with Tesla’s goal to reduce the robot’s price to around $20,000. Currently, core components are manufactured in China, while final assembly occurs in the US, reflecting a supply chain similar to Apple’s iPhone production. Tesla has developed strong partnerships with Chinese suppliers over the past three years, benefiting from China’s low-cost manufacturing, government subsidies, tax incentives, and research funding in the humanoid robotics sector. The company plans to launch the Optimus V3 model
roboticshumanoid-robotsTesla-Optimusrobot-manufacturingsupply-chainChina-manufacturingrobot-production-costsTesla Optimus's fall in Miami demo sparks remote operation debate
A recent Tesla demonstration of the Optimus humanoid robot in Miami captured attention when the robot fell during its presentation, exhibiting hand movements that resembled a human removing a VR headset. This unusual gesture, despite the robot not wearing any device, sparked debate about whether Optimus was operating autonomously or being remotely controlled via teleoperation. Observers and industry experts noted that such hand motions are typical of robots controlled through VR interfaces, leading to speculation that Tesla’s demonstration may not fully reflect independent robot autonomy. Elon Musk, however, has denied these claims, asserting that recent videos showing Optimus performing tasks like kung-fu are driven by AI rather than teleoperation. Tesla recently shared an update highlighting significant progress in Optimus’s balance, coordination, and gait, demonstrated through videos of the robot running and performing smoother movements compared to earlier, more unstable steps. Optimus stands 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighs about 160 pounds, and features highly dexterous hands with 11 degrees of freedom
roboticshumanoid-robotTesla-Optimusrobot-autonomyteleoperationAI-roboticsrobot-demonstrationElon Musk's Optimus humanoid robot achieves human-like smooth running
Tesla has released a new update on its humanoid robot, Optimus, showcasing a viral video of the robot running smoothly in a lab setting. Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 160 pounds, Optimus features over 40 degrees of freedom, including highly dexterous hands with 11 degrees of freedom designed for human-like interaction. Powered by a 2.3 kWh battery, it operates with impressive energy efficiency, consuming as little as 100W at rest and 500W while walking. The latest update highlights significant improvements in balance, coordination, and gait control, marking a major milestone beyond earlier demonstrations of basic walking, object handling, and posture training. Optimus has shown rapid progress since early 2023, evolving from slow, basic movements to performing complex tasks such as pick-and-place operations, basic assembly, and even Kung Fu moves with smooth full-body coordination. Tesla aims to mass-produce the robot by the end of 2025, with Elon Musk
robothumanoid-robotTesla-Optimusroboticsartificial-intelligencebattery-technologyautonomous-robotsComparing Boston Dynamics’ Atlas and Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robots
The article compares Boston Dynamics’ Atlas and Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robots, highlighting their contrasting design philosophies and development goals. Atlas is positioned primarily as a research platform focused on “whole-body mobility” and dynamic control, emphasizing agility, speed, and balance to push the boundaries of humanoid locomotion and manipulation. Its public demonstrations showcase advanced athletic feats such as parkour and backflips, reflecting iterative breakthroughs in dynamic balance and coordination. Recently, Atlas transitioned to a fully electric system and is moving toward commercial deployment in automotive manufacturing through a partnership with Hyundai. In contrast, Tesla’s Optimus aims for affordability and practical utility, targeting general-purpose tasks that are “unsafe, repetitive or boring” for humans. Optimus leverages Tesla’s AI and manufacturing scale, integrating perception and control technologies adapted from autonomous driving. Its demonstrations have been more conservative, focusing on recognizable tasks like walking, object handling, and simple manipulation, often relying on teleoperation or supervised learning. Hardware differences underscore these priorities: Atlas
roboticshumanoid-robotsBoston-DynamicsTesla-Optimuselectric-robotsAI-roboticsindustrial-automationTechCrunch Mobility: The ‘robot army’ argument
The TechCrunch Mobility newsletter highlights recent developments and discussions in the autonomous vehicle and electric vehicle sectors. A recent poll among readers revealed that longer-haul delivery is considered the most promising business model for autonomous vehicle technology, receiving 40% of votes, followed by robotaxis at 25.5%, licensing tech to automakers at 19.1%, and last-mile delivery at 14.9%. The newsletter also notes that warehouse applications like autonomous forklifts were not included in the poll but warrant further exploration. A significant focus is on Elon Musk’s controversial argument during Tesla’s Q3 earnings call, where he framed his proposed $1 trillion compensation package as a means to maintain control over Tesla’s “robot army,” specifically referencing the Optimus robot program. Musk emphasized his concern about having strong influence over autonomous technologies, positioning control as more critical than the monetary value of the package. This stance comes amid shareholder votes and opposition from proxy advisers Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis, who have recommended rejecting the
robotautonomous-vehiclesTesla-Optimusrobot-armyElon-Muskrobotics-technologymobility-innovationThe Stupidest Thing Elon Musk Said This Week - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica critiques a statement made by Elon Musk during Tesla’s recent shareholder conference call, where Musk claimed that Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, could help create a world without poverty by providing everyone access to exceptional medical care, including surgical capabilities. The author strongly disputes this notion, emphasizing that poverty is fundamentally a social and political issue rather than a technological one. They argue that a humanoid robot, which is still far from being capable of performing surgery or being widely available, especially at an estimated future cost of $20,000 to $25,000, is unlikely to address poverty or healthcare access meaningfully. The article further contextualizes Musk’s claim within broader societal issues, noting the current economic inequality in the United States, described as a "second Gilded Age," where wealth concentration and systemic rigging by powerful interests exacerbate poverty. It references economist Robert Reich’s commentary on the growing CEO-to-worker pay ratio and the failure of trickle-down economics to alleviate
robothumanoid-robotTesla-OptimusElon-Muskrobotics-technologyautomationAI-surgeryTesla Optimus Plans Evaporated - CleanTechnica
Tesla has reportedly abandoned its ambitious plan to deploy 10,000 Optimus robots internally by the end of 2023, a target previously announced by Elon Musk during an investor call earlier this year. According to reporting from The Information, these plans were scrapped over the summer, and the promise that the robots would be “doing useful things by the end of the year” appears unlikely to be fulfilled. Instead, Musk may showcase a “dancing troupe” of Optimus bots at Tesla’s upcoming annual meeting, which some interpret as more of a publicity stunt than evidence of practical progress. This development fits a broader pattern observed by industry watchers, where Musk tends to make bold claims when facing setbacks, sometimes doubling down on optimistic projections despite missed deadlines or unfulfilled promises. For example, Musk has suggested that Optimus could eventually represent 80% of Tesla’s value, a statement viewed skeptically given the current lack of tangible results. Meanwhile, the global robotics landscape is evolving rapidly, with China leading
roboticsTesla-Optimushumanoid-robotsautomationrobotics-industryindustrial-roboticsrobot-patentsWatch: Optimus humanoid robot shows off kung fu skills to Jared Leto
Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, made a high-profile appearance at the world premiere of Disney’s Tron: Ares in Los Angeles, where it playfully demonstrated kung fu moves in a staged face-off with actor Jared Leto. The event marked the first time Optimus was featured at a major Hollywood film launch, drawing millions of views and widespread social media attention. This stunt was part of a collaboration between Tesla, Disney, and Elon Musk’s xAI platform to integrate generative AI technology into interactive fan experiences for the upcoming Tron sequel, which explores themes of sentient AI crossing into the real world. However, the upbeat publicity was contrasted by a serious lawsuit filed against Tesla just hours before the premiere. Peter Hinterdobler, a Tesla robot mechanic, alleged that an Optimus unit violently malfunctioned during a maintenance shift in February 2025, causing him to be knocked unconscious and pinned down by the robot’s heavy counterbalance weight. Hinterdobler is seeking $51 million in damages
robothumanoid-robotTesla-Optimusrobotics-technologyAI-integrationgenerative-AIhumanoid-robot-kung-fuTesla’s Optimus humanoid robot performs Kung Fu moves in latest video
Tesla has released a new video showcasing its humanoid robot, Optimus, performing Kung Fu moves alongside a human sparring partner. The 36-second clip demonstrates significant advancements in the robot’s speed, balance, and fluidity compared to earlier, slower demos that were often sped up. Notably, the video appears to show real-time, AI-driven autonomous movements rather than tele-operated control, marking a key milestone in Tesla’s development of robots capable of responding independently to their environment. The demo highlights Optimus’ improved stability, including its ability to adjust weight and recover from pushes, as well as enhanced footwork, although hand and finger dexterity remain limited. While the Kung Fu demonstration is primarily a way to showcase Optimus’ range of motion, balance, and adaptability—qualities essential for practical human-like tasks—Tesla does not intend to develop fighting robots. The robot version shown is likely Optimus v2.5, with more advanced versions expected in the future. Elon Musk has indicated plans to
robothumanoid-robotTesla-Optimusartificial-intelligenceroboticsrobot-balancerobot-motion-controlWhat Tesla’s Optimus robot can do in 2025 and where it still lags
Tesla aims to produce 5,000 Optimus humanoid robots by 2025, positioning the robot as central to its future under the vision of integrating AI into the physical world. CEO Elon Musk has claimed that 80% of Tesla’s future value will derive from Optimus and related AI ventures, signaling a shift from purely an automaker to a “physical AI” platform. Demonstrations through 2024 and 2025 have shown Optimus performing basic locomotion with improved heel-to-toe walking, simple household chores like sweeping and trash removal, and basic manipulation tasks such as handling car parts. These capabilities are enabled by a unified control policy—a single neural network trained using vision-based inputs and human video data—which Tesla highlights as a scalable approach to skill acquisition. However, Optimus’s current functionality is largely limited to structured or lightly staged environments with known objects and controlled lighting, lacking robust autonomy in unstructured homes or fully operational industrial settings. While the robot shows smoother full-body coordination and
robothumanoid-robotTesla-OptimusAI-roboticsautomationneural-networksrobotics-developmentFirst wave of humanoid robots enters warehouses and shop floors
Humanoid robots are transitioning from experimental prototypes in labs to practical applications on factory floors and warehouses. Companies like Amazon, Tesla, and startups such as Figure are actively developing and deploying humanoid robots to perform tasks like deliveries, fetching and carrying parts, and handling boxes. This shift aims to offload repetitive, dangerous, or physically demanding work from humans, allowing people to focus on safer and more creative roles. However, the rise of humanoid robots also raises concerns about potential job losses, especially in communities heavily dependent on large employers like Amazon and Walmart. Technologically, humanoid robots replicate human anatomy with electric actuators functioning as “muscles” to enable precise and strong movements, while sensor suites—including cameras, lidar, inertial sensors, and tactile sensors—provide perception and balance. These inputs feed into onboard computers running sophisticated control algorithms and AI, which manage stability, navigation, and object manipulation. Globally, efforts span from cost-effective models in China to service and elder-care robots in Japan and
roboticshumanoid-robotsautomationindustrial-robotswarehouse-automationTesla-OptimusBoston-DynamicsTesla's '2.5 gen' Optimus humanoid stumbles through its first demo
Tesla recently showcased an updated version of its Optimus humanoid robot, dubbed "version 2.5," clarifying that this iteration is an intermediate upgrade rather than a new generation. The gold-colored robot demonstrated limited real-world capabilities in a brief demo featuring xAI’s Grok voice assistant. During the demo, the robot responded hesitantly to voice commands and walked slowly, with Elon Musk noting it was still cautious about spatial awareness and would eventually move faster. Despite these incremental improvements, the robot showed little evidence of advanced autonomy or dexterous manipulation, and the video ended before any object retrieval was attempted. Visually, Optimus 2.5 features a smoother, more cohesive exterior with rounded edges, better-covered joints, and fewer visible seams and wires, marking a shift toward a more human-like silhouette. These design refinements aim to enhance both the robot’s mobility and its readiness for human environments. Tesla continues to emphasize Optimus as a key part of its long-term strategy, pairing
robothumanoid-robotTesla-Optimusrobotics-demoAI-assistantautomationbipedal-robotTesla Optimus Disappoints Internet
The recently released footage of Tesla’s Optimus robot on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has been met with disappointment from viewers. Despite Tesla’s significant emphasis on Optimus as a key future product, the new visuals failed to impress the internet audience, raising concerns about the robot’s current capabilities and readiness. This negative reception could have implications for Tesla, which has been banking on Optimus to play a major role in its product lineup and technological innovation. The skepticism expressed online may reflect broader doubts about the timeline and feasibility of Optimus meeting Tesla’s ambitious goals, potentially impacting investor and public confidence in the project’s progress.
robotTesla-Optimushumanoid-robotrobotics-technologyAI-roboticsautomationTeslaHow to make robots predictable with a priority based architecture and a new legal model - The Robot Report
The article discusses the challenge of ensuring predictable and safe behavior in increasingly autonomous robots, such as Tesla's Optimus humanoid and Waymo's driverless cars. Traditional robotic control systems rely on predefined scripts or reactive responses to commands, which can lead to conflicting actions and hesitation in complex, dynamic environments. Such unpredictability poses significant safety risks, especially when robots receive simultaneous or contradictory commands or when technical faults occur. To address these issues, the author’s team developed a priority-based control architecture that moves beyond simple stimulus-response behavior. This system evaluates every event through mission and subject filters, considering environmental context and potential consequences before execution. The architecture features two interlinked hierarchies: a mission hierarchy that ranks goals from fundamental safety rules (e.g., “Do not harm a human”) to user-set and current tasks, and a hierarchy of interaction subjects that prioritizes commands based on their source, giving highest priority to owners or operators and lower priority to external parties. This approach aims to enable robots to act
roboticsautonomous-robotspriority-based-controlTesla-Optimusrobot-safetyhumanoid-robotsautonomous-systemsHumanoid robot allegedly graduates from a high school in China
A humanoid robot named Shuang Shuang, also called ‘Bright,’ participated in a high school graduation ceremony at Shuangshi High School in Fujian, China, where it walked across the stage, shook hands with a professor, and received a certificate. The event, part of the school’s 25th commencement, was met with cheers from students and faculty, and a video of the moment went viral, highlighting China’s growing enthusiasm and investment in robotics technology. This appearance reflects China’s broader push to develop and deploy advanced robots as part of its ambition to lead the global tech race. While Shuang Shuang’s participation was symbolic, there is no evidence that the robot completed any academic requirements or possesses intellectual capabilities akin to a human graduate. The robot’s presence at the ceremony underscores the increasing integration of automation into cultural and social milestones rather than a literal academic achievement. Globally, robotics development is accelerating, with competitors like the United States pursuing similar innovations, such as Tesla’s humanoid robot
robothumanoid-robotroboticsartificial-intelligenceautomationTesla-Optimussecurity-robotsTesla sues ex-engineer for stealing Optimus robot’s trade secrets
Tesla has filed a lawsuit against former engineer Zhongjie “Jay” Li, accusing him of stealing proprietary technology from its Optimus humanoid robot program to launch a rival startup, Proception. The complaint alleges that Li downloaded confidential information related to Tesla’s advanced robotic hand sensors onto personal devices before leaving the company in September 2024. Tesla claims that Proception, backed by Y Combinator, used this stolen data to rapidly develop humanoid robotic hands that closely resemble Tesla’s designs, achieving in months what Tesla took years and billions of dollars to build. The lawsuit also highlights suspicious behavior by Li, including researching humanoid robotic hands and seeking startup funding while still employed at Tesla. This legal action comes amid ongoing challenges for Tesla’s Optimus project, which was initially announced in 2021 with plans for a 2023 rollout but has since faced delays, pushing the expected sales date to 2026. Public demonstrations have shown limited autonomous functionality, with many robots remotely controlled by humans. Despite
roboticshumanoid-robotsTesla-Optimustrade-secretsrobotic-hand-sensorsAI-roboticsstartup-litigationTesla sues former Optimus engineer over alleged trade secret theft
Tesla has filed a lawsuit against Zhongjie “Jay” Li, a former engineer in its Optimus humanoid robotics program, accusing him of stealing trade secrets related to advanced robotic hand sensors. Li, who worked at Tesla from August 2022 to September 2024, allegedly downloaded confidential information onto personal devices and conducted research on humanoid robotic hands and startup funding sources during his final months at the company. Shortly after his departure, Li founded a startup called Proception, which claims to have developed advanced humanoid robotic hands resembling Tesla’s designs. The complaint highlights that Proception was incorporated less than a week after Li left Tesla and publicly announced its achievements within five months, raising concerns about the misuse of Tesla’s proprietary technology. Tesla’s Optimus program, launched in 2021, has faced development challenges and delays, with Elon Musk indicating in mid-2024 that the company would continue work on the project despite earlier setbacks. The lawsuit underscores ongoing tensions in the competitive field of humanoid robotics
robothumanoid-roboticsTesla-Optimusrobotic-hand-sensorstrade-secret-theftrobotics-startuphuman-robot-interactionMilan Kovac, Head Of Tesla Optimus Program, Departs - CleanTechnica
Milan Kovac, the head of engineering for Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot program, announced his departure on June 6, 2025, citing a desire to spend more time with his family. Despite initial speculation about possible conflicts with Elon Musk, Kovac expressed strong support for Musk and confidence in the Tesla team’s ability to advance the Optimus project. Tesla confirmed that Ashok Elluswamy, head of the Autopilot team, will assume leadership of the Optimus program. Both Kovac and Musk exchanged respectful public statements, indicating an amicable transition without signs of urgency or internal strife. Elon Musk continues to position Optimus as a transformative product, claiming it could be Tesla’s most significant development ever, with a target price around $30,000. Musk envisions the robot performing everyday tasks such as folding clothes, walking dogs, and cleaning dishes, and he has publicly declared that autonomy and Optimus are Tesla’s long-term priorities. However, skepticism remains among observers and industry watchers, who note that Tesla’s promotional videos—like the one showing Optimus folding a shirt—are staged and that the robot is not yet capable of autonomous operation. Critics draw parallels to previous Tesla hype cycles, such as with Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, suggesting that Optimus may be similarly overpromised and years away from practical reality. Overall, while Kovac’s departure marks a leadership change, Tesla’s commitment to the Optimus project remains firm under Musk’s vision. Yet, the program faces scrutiny over its current capabilities versus public expectations, highlighting the challenges Tesla faces in delivering on its ambitious humanoid robot goals.
robotTesla-Optimushumanoid-robotautonomous-robotsAI-roboticspersonal-assistant-robotsrobotics-engineering