At Tesla’s highly anticipated ‘We Robot’ event held in California, several of the company’s humanoid robots, named Optimus, demonstrated their autonomous capabilities. These robots were seen walking out on their own, serving drinks, and handing out gift bags to attendees. This marked a major milestone for Tesla as they aim to expand beyond electric vehicles into advanced robotics. Alongside Optimus, Tesla unveiled its self-driving robotaxi, called Cybercab, and a larger autonomous vehicle, Robovan, capable of carrying up to 20 passengers.
Optimus Performs Everyday Tasks
During the event, Optimus robots were featured in a video demo performing various household tasks such as watering plants and picking up packages. Tesla CEO Elon Musk went on stage to explain the robot’s potential, stating, “The Optimus will walk amongst you. You’ll be able to walk right up to them, and they will serve drinks.” Musk also added that these robots could eventually walk dogs, babysit children, and even mow lawns.
Optimus make me a drink, please.
— Robert Scoble (@Scobleizer) October 11, 2024
This is not wholly AI. A human is remote assisting.
Which means AI day next year where we will see how fast Optimus is learning. pic.twitter.com/CE2bEA2uQD
Pricing and Availability
Elon Musk revealed that the Optimus robots would be priced between $20,000 and $30,000 in the long term, calling it Tesla’s most significant product. However, these robots will not be available for widespread use until 2026. While full autonomy is still a work in progress, Musk suggested that the Optimus robots could be seen on Tesla’s factory floors much sooner.
Autonomy Questions and Remote Assistance Speculation
Although the robots appeared to be moving autonomously, some attendees speculated that Tesla employees might have been remotely controlling them. This speculation harks back to concerns raised in 2022 when the first bipedal Optimus prototype was shown to the public, and it was revealed that it had been remotely controlled. While the event stirred excitement, questions about the robot’s full autonomy remained.
Optimus can talk pic.twitter.com/4VTI0DPtdU
— Whole Mars Catalog (@WholeMarsBlog) October 11, 2024
What’s Next for Optimus?
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the level of autonomy, Musk reiterated that Optimus will have applications beyond industrial work. With plans to further develop its capabilities, the Tesla CEO hinted at future advancements in AI, suggesting that next year’s AI Day will show how fast Optimus is learning. As the robots continue to evolve, they could become key players in household, industrial, and other specialized tasks, offering a glimpse into the future of robotics.
