Tesla Optimus Video shows Future of Autonomous Factory Robots
Updated: May 05 2024 18:46In a recent post on X/Twitter, Tesla unveiled the latest advancements of their humanoid robot. The video showcased Optimus using its end-to-end neural network to perform basic factory tasks, including sorting 4680 battery cells. What's more impressive is the robot's ability to operate autonomously and correct its own mistakes in real-time. Check out the video below:
Sensory Capabilities and Autonomy
Tesla has developed Optimus Gen-2, featuring an articulated neck, revamped hands with tactile sensing, and tighter integration of various components. These improvements are expected to further enhance the robot's sensory capabilities and autonomy.
The head of the Optimus contains cameras that provide a wide field of view. These cameras, along with hand tactile sensors and force sensors, allow Optimus to gather a wealth of data about its surroundings. This sensory information feeds into Tesla's custom-designed autopilot computer housed within the robot. This system processes visual and sensory data in real-time, enabling Optimus to interact effectively with its environment.
One of the remarkable features of Optimus is its ability to self-calibrate its arms and legs. Using only vision and joint position encoders, it can precisely locate its limbs in space. Once accurately calibrated, Optimus learns various tasks more efficiently. Its neural net runs entirely on-board, using only vision.
Tesla has made significant strides in AI, designing, training, and deploying some of the first end-to-end neural nets for humanoid robots. These advancements allow Optimus to autonomously perform tasks requiring coordinated control of its humanoid torso, arms, and full hands with fingers.
Optimus is expected to learn and adapt from real-world interactions, improving its functionality over time through experience and neural network training. This approach is similar to Tesla's strategy with its autonomous vehicles.
The company revealed that Optimus is already being tested at one of Tesla's factories, with human interventions decreasing as the robot continues to improve.
Mobility and Task Performance
In addition to sorting battery cells, the video highlighted Optimus's enhanced mobility. The robot was shown taking a long stroll through the office, demonstrating its improved walking capabilities.
Tesla has been sharing updates on Optimus every few months, showing significant progress in its walking rate and precision when performing tasks. The robot has been demonstrated folding laundry, sorting objects autonomously, and even performing physical movements like yoga. Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, stated in December that the units would be able to thread a needle within a year.
Future Plans and Pricing
During
Tesla's Q1 2024 earnings call, Musk highlighted that Optimus has already been performing factory tasks and is expected to become more widely used in the coming years. Tesla plans to have the Optimus units performing a range of useful tasks in the factory by the end of this year. Furthermore, the company aims to sell the robots externally by the end of 2025.
Elon Musk: We are able to do simple factory tasks or at least, I should say, factory tasks in the lab. We do think we will have Optimus in limited production in the natural factory itself, doing useful tasks before the end of this year. And then I think we may be able to sell it externally by the end of next year. These are just guesses.
As I've said before, I think Optimus will be more valuable than everything else combined. Because if you've got a sentient humanoid robots that is able to navigate reality and do tasks at request, there is no meaningful limit to the size of the economy. So, that's what's going to happen. And I think Tesla is best positioned of any humanoid robot maker to be able to reach volume production with efficient inference on the robot itself.
In terms of pricing, Musk stated in March that the price of Optimus would eventually be less than $25,000 or $30,000. He expects it to cost "less than half of a car" to produce.
Elon Musk: Complexity per unit mass is much higher with humanoid robots, but still I think it ends up costing less than half of a car.
Tesla’s Optimus represents a significant leap forward in the field of humanoid robotics, combining state-of-the-art technologies and human-like capabilities to create a machine that can seamlessly integrate into various environments. Its advanced sensory capabilities and increasing autonomy are transforming the way we perceive and interact with robots, paving the way for a future where humans and machines work together in harmony. The future of automation is here, stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development in the world of robotics.
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