Elon Musk unveiled Tesla’s Optimus robots, designed for household tasks and serving drinks, on October 11, 2024.
Musk claimed that these humanoid robots would become “the biggest product ever of any kind,” igniting debate over how soon they might be in homes. The robots stole the spotlight at a Los Angeles event, where Tesla also introduced the “Cybercar,” a self-driving taxi.
Standing nearly 6 feet tall, the Optimus robots entertained the audience by dancing to techno music, serving fruity cocktails, and playing games like rock, paper, scissors. According to Musk, the robots can perform various tasks, such as mowing lawns, cleaning the kitchen, babysitting, or providing companionship. With an anticipated price between $20,000 and $30,000, the bots would eventually be more affordable than a car. While Musk did not specify a release date, he has previously suggested that sales could start by late 2025.
However, experts remain skeptical. Dev Nag, CEO of QueryPal, an AI-based support automation company, estimates it may take at least five years before these robots reach homes. He noted the challenges Tesla still faces, such as ensuring the robots can walk steadily on uneven terrain, operate for a full day on one charge, and navigate safely around people and pets, which presents more complexity than it appears.
Source: New York Post