Tech billionaire Elon Musk has unveiled Tesla’s next-generation humanoid robot, Optimus, promising groundbreaking capabilities and ushering in what he describes as a new era in robotics.
At the “We, Robot” event on Thursday night, Musk not only introduced Optimus but also revealed Tesla’s latest advancements in autonomous vehicles, debuting two new models: the Cybercab robotaxi and the Robovan.
Musk boldly claimed that Optimus “can do anything you think of,” highlighting its potential to transform everyday life. The robot, he said, could take on tasks such as walking dogs, babysitting, mowing lawns, and even serving drinks. He emphasized the robot’s versatility and predicted its long-term impact, estimating its price between $20,000 and $30,000. Musk confidently stated, “This could be the most significant product ever created,” envisioning a future where everyone might want an “Optimus buddy.”
Tesla first introduced the concept of the Optimus robot in 2021, with the aim of developing a machine that could handle dangerous, repetitive, or mundane tasks for humans. The new model, Optimus Gen 2, showcases significant upgrades, including faster movement, improved hand mobility, and advanced sensors, enabling it to perform complex activities like folding clothes.
Although still in development, Musk’s vision is for Tesla to lead in the robotics industry, just as it has in electric vehicles and autonomous transport.
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During the event, held at Warner Bros. Studios near Los Angeles, Musk, dressed in a leather jacket, made bold statements about the future of self-driving cars. He predicted that autonomous vehicles would soon be “10 times safer than humans” and could remain on the road five to 10 times longer than traditional cars.
“The autonomous future is here,” Musk declared. “With autonomy, you get your time back.”
Previously, Musk had outlined plans to launch a fleet of self-driving Tesla taxis, which users could hail via an app. He also suggested that Tesla owners could list their cars as robotaxis to earn money when not in use. However, no further details about the app were provided during the event.
