-
Tesla (TSLA, $265.25) CEO Elon Musk showcased his much-touted humanoid robot “Optimus” at the electric vehicle maker’s “AI Day” event on Friday. The prototype of the robot walked on stage and waved to the seated audience, showing the robot's ability to carry a box, water plants, and move metal bars in the automaker’s factory.
-
The billionaire has said a robot business will be worth more than its cars, hoping to expand beyond self-driving vehicles that have not yet become a reality despite his repeated promises.
-
According to Musk, the prototype can do more than what was shown live, but "the first time it operated without a tether was tonight on stage." Musk predicted it could hit a "probably less than $20,000" price.
03 Oct 2022
TSLA
Tesla AI Day
Meet Optimus robot
Share this article
Why it matters
Musk announced Tesla’s plan for humanoid robots at its AI day in August last year and delayed this year’s event from August to have its robot prototype working, with a plan to start production possibly next year. In the days leading up to AI Day, robotics experts warned against buying too much into Musk's claims. They've noted that other companies are much further along in developing robots that can walk, run, and even jump with none claiming to be close to replacing human labor.