Optimus Gen 2 Humanoid Robot

Tesla Optimus (Gen 2) is a humanoid robot prototype about the size of an adult human, developed by Tesla to handle "dangerous, repetitive and boring" tasks in place of people. Built with Tesla's expertise in AI and electric vehicles, Optimus is controlled by the same advanced autopilot AI system used in Tesla cars, enabling it to perceive and navigate complex environments using multiple cameras and neural networks.

The Gen 2 model, first unveiled in late 2023, introduced significant upgrades: a slimmer design (~10 kg lighter), strong yet nimble Tesla-designed actuators, and 11-degree-of-freedom hands instrumented with tactile sensors on each finger for delicate manipulation. In demonstration videos, Optimus Gen 2 can walk untethered, maintain balance (even squatting on one leg), sort objects by color, and gently handle fragile items like eggs.

Behind its humanoid form, Optimus integrates Tesla's custom hardware and software: a central "FSD" computer in its chest running on efficient AI chips, and vision algorithms that process inputs from 8 surround cameras for 360° situational awareness. The robot's bi-pedal locomotion is enabled by dozens of electric actuators giving it human-like degrees of freedom in movement. Power is supplied by an internal battery pack sized for a full work day, and Optimus can operate wirelessly with onboard power and communicate via standard wireless networks.

While still in development, Optimus Gen 2 represents Tesla's aggressive foray into humanoid robotics, leveraging the company's prowess in AI, sensors, and battery tech. Tesla's near-term plan is to refine Optimus through internal pilot deployments in Tesla factories, and then scale up production. Musk has indicated a goal of making Optimus available to other companies (and eventually consumers) by 2025–2026, potentially at a price under $25,000.