In 2025, Tesla is set to launch the Optimus Gen 2 robot, a new model that features improved mobility and a range of new abilities. The original prototype introduced in 2022 was only able to perform a few activities, but the updated version has sensors in the fingers for handling delicate objects with varying levels of pressure and can walk 30% faster while maintaining better balance. It also weighs 10 kg less without sacrificing functionality.
The new generation of Optimus is currently being tested in the laboratory and is capable of performing simple factory tasks. However, Elon Musk, the project’s leader, predicts that it will be able to undertake useful tasks by the end of this year, with plans to release it to market by 2025. Despite this, Musk has stated that the launch timeline is tentative.
Optimus is designed in human form and integrates cameras for surveillance and a processing system similar to Tesla’s autonomous cars. It features a 2.3 kWh battery, 40 electromechanical joints for enhanced mobility, and the ability to lift up to 75 kg in dead weight. Musk has suggested that the robot could cost around $25,000 and anticipates demand reaching between 10 billion and 20 billion units over time.
Tesla’s progress in robot development comes as other companies like Apple, Amazon, and Boston Dynamics also compete in the humanoid robot market. Apple is exploring domestic robots while Amazon has launched home helper robots. Boston Dynamics continues to improve its humanoid robot Atlas. This exciting time for robotics and automation technology sees various companies vying for leadership in this rapidly evolving field.
Overall, Tesla’s Optimus Gen 2 represents an exciting development in humanoid robot technology that could have significant implications for industries such as manufacturing and healthcare. With its improved mobility and new abilities, this next-generation robot could revolutionize how we interact with machines on a daily basis.