The future is here! Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, has finally unveiled the Optimus (also known as the Tesla robot). This epic piece of machinery contains AI (Artificial Intelligence), meaning that it can perform tasks that usually require a human mind. The Optimus was unveiled by Elon Musk on September 30th, Tesla’s AI day. The event happened at the Tesla office in Palo Alto, California.
The unveiling started with a screen on stage depicting robot hands making a heart, and once everybody settled in their seats, Elon Musk, along with some of the engineers, who helped make the Optimus, took to the stage. One of the engineers explained that it will be the first time that the Optimus will be “without any support cranes, mechanical mechanisms, no cables, nothing.” With that, the robot’s heart hands opened to reveal the Optimus prototype.
The robot walked out and waved to the crowd, receiving thunderous applause. It performed a simple dance, and one of the engineers pointed out that the robot uses the “self-driving computer that runs in [our] Tesla cars”. The robot walked to the back of the stage, while a video was playing on the screen, showing the prototype connected to wires, and support cranes, performing tasks such as watering plants and bringing in packages. Then, the robot was attached to a small platform, and managed to squat. Optimus must be able to squat in order to pick things up and perform chores.
Believe it or not, programming the robot to walk is not easy. In fact, it’s downright difficult. The engineers had to make sure that the robot is balanced, so that it doesn’t fall flat on its face. The Optimus prototype took its first steps in April 2022. Then, in July, the engineers were able to get its pelvis moving, as it walked. In August, they managed to get the robot’s arms to sway. Lastly, in September, they made the movement of its foot transfer from heel to toe, with every step.
The materials that will be used when these bots are put into production include metal and plastic (less metal and more plastic makes the bot lighter). The battery life on the robot is 4 to 23 hours, and it uses the 2.3 kWh, 52V battery. It can pick up 20 pounds with each hand, and weighs 160 pounds. The Optimus is 5’ 8” tall, and can walk 5 mph (miles per hour). Its eyes are cameras, ears are microphones, and the voice is a speaker. The joints are inspired by the joints of a human.
Optimus is a humanoid, meaning that it is a robot resembling the body of a human in shape. Instead they were powered by a system of levers and pulleys.
It is expected that by 2027, this epic piece of machinery will be on sale for about $20,000. So, you better start saving up! Tesla’s Optimus is a truly magnificent item, and many people are very excited for it to become a selling product. I, for one, can definitely utilize this robot to clean my room.
The Lighthouse 