Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, is evolving fast. At last night’s “We, Robot” event, CEO Elon Musk revealed that Optimus could now "do anything." He highlighted its potential to handle everyday tasks such as walking dogs, babysitting, mowing lawns, and even serving drinks. The latest version of Optimus boasts enhanced features like faster walking speed and improved hand movements. With a projected price range of $20,000 to $30,000, Musk believes that Optimus will become a household companion for millions of people, potentially revolutionising daily life.
At the event, while the Tesla Cybercab and Robovan were the main attraction, Optimus stole the spotlight once again. Musk, showcasing the humanoid’s capabilities, emphasised its virtually limitless functionality. “The Optimus will walk amongst you,” Musk said, suggesting that future interactions with the robot could feel natural, as if living with another human. He even humorously added that Optimus could serve drinks during gatherings, making it a helpful assistant at home.
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The latest version, known as Optimus Gen 2, offers significant improvements over its predecessor, which was mostly limited to walking and talking. Now, the robot features faster mobility, enhanced hand dexterity, and tactile sensors on its fingers. These upgrades enable it to handle more complex tasks, such as folding shirts, a skill Tesla demonstrated earlier this year through a video Musk shared on X (formerly Twitter).
In the video, Optimus was shown folding a shirt with precision, picking it up from a basket and neatly arranging it on a table. While this may seem like a small achievement, it highlights Tesla’s commitment to making the robot a versatile assistant for everyday chores.
Tesla first introduced the Optimus robot concept in 2021 during their AI Day event, envisioning it as a multi-functional machine designed to take on tasks that are either unsafe, repetitive, or boring for humans. Although still under development, Optimus has come a long way since its early prototype days.
During a 2022 demonstration, Tesla revealed a prototype that could walk and perform simple actions, such as retrieving objects and watering plants. Musk pointed out that it was the robot’s first untethered operation, adding that safety measures were in place to prevent it from falling on stage.
While Optimus continues to develop, Musk also shared updates on Tesla’s other innovations, including the Cybercab, an autonomous vehicle designed without traditional steering wheels or pedals. Production of the Cybercab is expected to begin by 2026, with plans to release full self-driving capabilities for Tesla's Model 3, Model Y, and other vehicles by next year in select states like Texas and California.