Tesla | Benj Edwards
On Tuesday, Tesla released a demo video displaying the newest model of its prototype humanoid robotic, Optimus Gen 2. Over one yr after Tesla’s first public Optimus robot demonstration, which showcased shaky robots that waved and slumped over, issues have apparently progressed fairly a bit, assuming that the video precisely displays the expertise.
“Every little thing on this video is actual, no CGI. All actual time, nothing sped up. Unbelievable {hardware} enhancements from the staff,” wrote Tesla Senior Workers Software program Engineer Julian Ibarz on X.
After a current episode the place Google fudged an AI demonstration for the sake of promoting hype, it is best to take Tesla’s claims with a grain of salt till they’re independently verified in sensible, real-world demonstrations. With that dose of skepticism in thoughts, let’s check out what Tesla is promising on this non-production prototype robotic.
The promotional video opens with a shot of “Bumblebee,” Tesla’s first humanoid prototype from September 2022. Then it reveals “Optimus – Gen 1” from March 2023. And after some teasing pictures of a special robotic, the video places textual content on the display that reads, “Introducing Optimus – Gen 2. December 2023.” Because the robotic performs numerous duties, reminiscent of strolling slowly, crouching, manipulating eggs with out breaking them, and waving its arms, it lists out these options of Gen 2:
- Tesla-designed actuators and sensors
- 2-DoF (levels of freedom) actuated neck
- Actuators-integrated electronics and harnessing
- 30 p.c stroll pace enhance
- Foot pressure/torque sensing
- Articulated toe sections
- Human foot geometry
- 10 kg complete weight discount
- Improved stability and full-body management
- Quicker, 11-DoF brand-new fingers
- Tactile sensing on all fingers
- Delicate objects manipulation (holding an egg)
As beforehand talked about, Optimus Gen 2 shouldn’t be designed for manufacturing or sale. As a prototype, it represents a possible waypoint on a for much longer journey to a extra purposeful human robotic that Tesla CEO Elon Musk says will have the ability to do something that people do not wish to do. It is designed to be the same form and measurement as people so it could possibly change human labor in a seamless approach. Regardless of the software, merely swap out an individual and insert an Optimus.
Given difficulties in engineering, if and when that human labor substitute will really occur nonetheless stays to be seen, but when what’s proven within the video is true, it is wanting like Tesla is making vital course of towards its aim.
