Tesla’s ambitious vision of a future populated by humanoid robots took center stage at the company’s ‘We, Robot’ event last week. While the event showcased Optimus, Tesla’s humanoid robot, interacting with guests, a closer look revealed that the robots were not entirely independent.
Tesla engineer Milan Kovac admitted that the robots were ‘human-assisted to some extent’ during the event. This means that while Optimus was able to perform tasks like walking, dancing, taking selfies, pouring drinks, and handing out snacks, a human was behind the scenes, guiding its movements.
One notable incident highlighted the ongoing challenges. A robot stumbled after its hand was caught by a guest’s handbag, demonstrating that Tesla’s robots still need significant improvement in navigating real-world scenarios.
Despite these challenges, Tesla has made progress in improving Optimus’ hardware stability and infrastructure, allowing the robots to operate in a public outdoor environment. The event demonstrated the company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of robotics, but also underlined the lengthy development path ahead.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has ambitious plans for Optimus, predicting a future where humanoid robots outnumber humans. He envisions a world where Optimus, priced at $10,000 to $20,000, becomes a common sight, potentially even replacing human workers in certain tasks.
The ‘We, Robot’ event served as a glimpse into the potential of Optimus, but also as a reminder that the journey towards a future where robots seamlessly integrate into our lives is still ongoing. Tesla’s ambitious vision may be years away from becoming a reality, but the event showed that the company is determined to make it happen.