This week, Tesla surprised the tech world again when its humanoid robot “Optimus” wowed the crowd while unveiling the company’s Robo-Van.
The robots not only wandered through the audience, but also mesmerized the audience with human-like pronunciation, using modern slang, and incorporating verbal pauses as a normal part of our daily lives.
Tesla not only creates robots to perform tasks, but also creates characters that sound as human as possible.
Although the robots attending the meeting are actors, the company has hinted at the possibility of commercialized robots soon.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 11, 2024
During the event, Optimus walked out of a warehouse and into the crowd, demonstrating his ability to perform everyday tasks such as picking up a package from the porch or watering the plants. Along with this, the new RoboVan was introduced.
“Optimus will walk among you,” said Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla. “You can approach them and they can offer you a drink.”
Musk promised that these robots could do “everything,” including walking the dog, babysitting, and mowing the lawn.
And the price? Musk mentioned that the cost of the robot will be between $20,000 and $30,000.
Socializing with people
But it’s not just about practical skills – Optimus sure knows how to “make noise”.
After the presentation, videos emerged of the robots interacting with guests, chatting around tables and playing party games. One of the robots played rock-paper-scissors with the audience and handed out small gift bags. Several robots were seen dancing inside a gazebo, adding to the excitement of the event.
However, it is important to note that the robots seen in the videos are actors, demonstrate the future capabilities of robots, and do not perform actions autonomously.
Tesla first revealed plans for a humanoid robot Optimus in 2021, but at the time, it was seen as a joke when a man in a robot suit danced on stage.
A year later, in 2022, Tesla released a primitive prototype that cautiously took the stage. Since then, the Optimus has undergone significant improvements, and the current model is lighter and faster, with capabilities that work alongside humans in everyday life.
Musk presented Optimus not only as a robot that would simplify everyday tasks but also as technology that would change the world. According to him, “it will be the biggest revolution of any kind” and he predicts that when millions of units are produced in the future, it will significantly boost the global economy.
Musk even went so far as to say that robots could “end poverty” due to the enormous benefits they could bring to improving labor productivity.
The current development status indicates that Optimus is already at an advanced stage. According to reports from Musk in April 2024, the robot is expected to start performing “useful” tasks by the end of the year, and will be available to the outside market by the end of 2025. This means Tesla’s robots will soon be an integral part of many people’s daily lives.
As noted, Musk estimates the price will be between $20,000 and $30,000 in the long run. At such a price, the robot is accessible to a wide range of private and commercial customers. Initially, its primary uses may focus on basic tasks such as cleaning, security, or household assistance. However, over time, robotics could also be integrated into more complex fields such as medical assistance or education.
The recent event showcased not only about future Tesla technology, but also about how this technology will blend into everyday life. Humanoid robots like Optimus don’t just perform practical tasks; Tesla has invested equally in their looks and sound. The goal is to create robots that feel natural in their interactions with humans, speak with accents close to human speech, incorporate natural pauses, and use slang that sounds like we say it.
If Tesla succeeds in seamlessly integrating Optimus into everyday life, we could be on the brink of a new era in which robots not only perform tasks but are embedded in human society like we’ve never seen before.
