Excitement rented the We, Robot Event as a squad of optimus robots meticulously dashed through the aisle into a humanoid launch ceremony—purposefully seeking to make human tasks agile and versatile in the future.
Elon Musk, the Tesla CEO who presided over the launch event, said the do-it-all Gen 2 humanoid “can walk your dog, mow your lawn, get the groceries, and just be your friend.”
The Optimus robot development was first announced in 2021, and an immense advancement has shaped its performance year-by-year, making it more human-friendly and a versatile system that can perform tasks deemed lethal to humans.
In a precursor display to an official launch, an Optimus assistant could be seen, acting as a bartender, picking groceries, watering a plant, and playing a hygienic role. It can also dance stylishly as displayed during the launch.
Owning such an autonomous humanoid assistance bot would actually cost you less than the price of a car.
“At scale, you should be able to buy an Optimus robot for $20,000-$30,000,” Musk said during the launch.
In August, Elon Must stated that an optimus arm could actually be used to replace a lost arm or leg, which would enable interchain commands through the Neuralink implant.
“If somebody has lost their arms or legs, we can actually attach an Optimus arm or leg during the Neuralink implant so that the commands from their brain would go to their robot arms or legs,” Musk said.
In another technological advancement in the human transport industry, Tesla unveiled a robotic-powered cybercab taxi and Robovan, a fully autonomous vehicle that would drive people across cities unmanned.
The production of robotic vehicles is set to commence in 2026. This technology will ease the operation costs for owners, given it’s affordability, enabling fleet owners to manage them without human cost.
