Tesla has unveiled “Optimus Gen 2,” the next generation of humanoid robot designed to assist humans with repetitive tasks.
The second generation of Optimus, also known as Tesla Bot, is surprising to some since Tesla's humanoid robot was not taken seriously by many.
When it was first announced, it seemed like an idea from Tesla CEO Elon Musk, but it hadn't been worked out much. To make his vision of the future robot more understandable, he had used a dancer disguised as a robot, which didn't make a good impression. Also, the demonstration at Tesla AI Day last year was not at all impressive. At the time, Tesla had presented a very early prototype that could barely walk and greet the crowd.
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Of course, while the execution wasn't ideal, the idea is very interesting. Everyone can recognize the value of a humanoid robot that could be flexible enough to take on some tedious, dangerous, and boring tasks, although many believe that this won't happen in the near future.
Tesla believed it was possible, leveraging its work on AI for its self-driving vehicle program and its expertise in batteries and electric motors. It argued that its vehicles are already robots on wheels. Now, it just needs to transform them into humanoid forms so they can replace humans in certain tasks.
Indeed, at a Tesla shareholder meeting earlier this year, the company showed off several more prototype robots that looked much more advanced and were starting to perform actually useful tasks.
In September, another update to the Optimus robot was unveiled. Tesla said that Optimus was trained with end-to-end neural networks and was able to perform new tasks, such as autonomously classifying objects.
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Tesla Optimus Gen 2
Now, Tesla has unveiled Optimus Gen 2, a new generation of the original humanoid robot:
This version of the Tesla Bot now features all the actuators and sensors designed by the company.
It also looks much more refined.
With this new version, Tesla says the humanoid robot is now able to walk 30% faster, which automatically makes it more useful. The company has also reduced the robot's weight and improved its balance.
In a video, the Optimus Gen 2 is seen performing a squat while balancing.
One of the most difficult parts of building a humanoid robot is the hands, and that's because they're the most useful part, since they can do various jobs. A robot's hands must be strong enough to lift weights, but also precise enough to handle delicate objects. The Tesla Optimus Gen 2 features brand-new hands to meet these criteria.
The company said it plans to use its humanoid robot in its own manufacturing operations very soon. Once it has proven its usefulness, it will start selling it to customers.
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Tesla CEO Elon Musk is a big believer in this project and has “confidently predicted” that Optimus will represent “the majority of Tesla’s long-term value.”
Humanoid robots: How can they help us?
The advantages of humanoid robots mainly have to do with their ability to take on tasks that are dangerous or unpleasant for humans. This can include working in hazardous environments.
Another advantage is the accuracy and reliability they can offer. They are programmed to perform tasks with precision and consistency, and so we can hope that they will be able to do some things more efficiently than humans, making it easier for them to do various jobs.
Another advantage is the absence of human needs in humanoid robots. As they are not dependent on human needs and constraints, they can work for long periods of time without requiring rest or interruption.
Another advantage is increased speed and efficiency. Humanoid robots can perform high-volume, highly complex tasks with great speed and efficiency. This allows for the acceleration of various processes and increased productivity.
Source: electrek.co
