Optimus (robot)
Tesla Bot, also known as Optimus, is a conceptual general-purpose robotic humanoid under development by Tesla, Inc.[1] It was announced at the company's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Day event on August 19, 2021.[1] CEO Elon Musk claimed during the event that Tesla would likely build a prototype by 2022.[2] Musk is on record having said that he thinks Optimus "has the potential to be more significant than the vehicle business over time."[3]
On April 7, 2022, a display for the product was featured at the Tesla Giga Texas manufacturing facility during the Cyber Rodeo event. Musk said that he hopes to have the robot production-ready by 2023 and claimed Optimus will eventually be able do "anything that humans don’t want to do."[3]
Specifications
Tesla Bot will measure 5'8" (173 cm) tall and weigh 125 lb (57 kg). According to the presentation made during the AI Day event, a Tesla Bot will be "controlled by the same AI system Tesla is developing for the [advanced driver-assistance system] used in its cars" and have a carrying capacity of 45 lb (20 kg).[4] Proposed tasks for the product are ones that are "dangerous, repetitive and boring", such as providing manufacturing assistance.[5]
Reception
Initial reactions
Soon after the event, many publications reacted with skepticism about the proposed product. Bloomberg News claimed that such a product constituted "mission creep" and stood outside "the company’s clean-energy initiatives."[6] The Washington Post argued that "Tesla has a history of exaggerating timelines and overpromising at its product unveilings and investor presentations."[1] The Verge similarly noted that "Tesla’s history is littered with fanciful ideas that never panned out... it’s anyone’s guess as to whether a working Tesla Bot will ever see the light of day"[7] and, in an editorial, described the Tesla Bot reveal as a "bizarre and brilliant bit of tomfoolery".[8]
Expert opinions
Following Musk's claims made at the Cyber Rodeo, scientist Gary Marcus stated he would "bet that no robot will be able to do all human tasks by the end of 2023."[3]
References
- ^ a b c "Tesla says it is building a 'friendly' robot that will perform menial tasks, won't fight back". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
- ^ Leswing, Kif (2021-08-20). "Elon Musk says Tesla will build a humanoid robot prototype by next year". CNBC. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
- ^ a b c Shead, Sam (2022-04-08). "Elon Musk says production of Tesla's robot could start next year, but A.I. experts have their doubts". CNBC. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
- ^ "Tesla Bot: AI-controlled humanoid robot revealed". Motor Authority. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
- ^ "Tesla Promised a Robot. Was It Just a Recruiting Pitch?". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2021-08-27.
- ^ Hull, Dana (August 19, 2021). "Elon Musk Unveils Humanoid Robot to Take Over 'Boring' Work". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ O'Kane, Sean (2021-08-19). "Elon Musk says Tesla is working on humanoid robots". The Verge. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
- ^ Vincent, James (2021-08-20). "Don't overthink it: Elon Musk's Tesla Bot is a joke". The Verge. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
