Tesla’s Optimus Gen 2 Humanoid Bears a stronger Resemblance to the Model S than the Cybertruck

Tesla has undergone a comprehensive redesign of its humanoid robot, the Optimus Gen 2. This latest iteration is 10 kg (22 lb) lighter, 30% faster, exhibits smoother and more human-like movements, and features updated hands and feet.

The rapid evolution of the Optimus Gen 2 reflects Tesla’s characteristic sense of urgency, with functional prototypes developed just over two years after Elon Musk initially announced the company’s entry into the humanoid robot arena. The latest version, Optimus Gen 2, was introduced within ten months of the unveiling of the original Optimus model in March.

Tesla’s Optimus Gen 2 Humanoid Showcases Advanced Features in Neck, Foot, and Hand Design

The Gen 2 robot incorporates improvements such as two degrees of freedom in its neck, integrated electronics and wiring, and a foot design that resembles the human foot, complete with articulated toe sections and force/torque sensors. Additionally, it features newly designed hands with 11 degrees of movement freedom, faster actuators, and tactile sensors on each finger, enhancing its ability to manipulate objects with greater dexterity.

The Optimus Gen 2 has a sleeker and more humanoid appearance, displaying smoother movements, improved balance, and a less peculiar walking style. Its new white bodywork gives it a resemblance to the Model S, departing from the previous Optimus’s exposed-metal appearance reminiscent of the Cybertruck. Additionally, the robot is now 10% lighter and, as demonstrated in the video below, showcases the ability to dance with a proficiency that matches Elon Musk himself.

Tesla’s Optimus Gen 2 Robot

The newly unveiled Optimus Gen 2 robot from Tesla is undoubtedly impressive, showcasing rapid hardware development. While Tesla might lag behind Boston Dynamics’ Atlas in terms of athleticism and capability, it distinguishes itself in mass manufacturing capabilities—an area where Musk and Tesla have demonstrated innovation. Unlike Atlas, designed primarily as a research platform, Tesla and other companies, including Figure, Agility, Fourier, Sanctuary, and Apptronik, are gearing up to deploy humanoids on a large scale in the workforce.

Despite the remarkable hardware advancements, the pivotal challenge for humanoid developers is to showcase these robots engaging in real-world tasks reliably, repeatably, and flexibly. Achieving this milestone will mark a significant step in reshaping and impacting various industries.

For an insight into the ongoing developments, observe how Toyota rapidly trains robots to wield tools and perform diverse kitchen tasks. The process involves visual AIs observing human actions and swiftly acquiring new skills within a few hours. The astonishing pace of progress in 2023 hints at significant transformations ahead, and this momentum is expected to intensify further. Substantial disruptions are on the horizon across various domains.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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