Tesla has unveiled its new humanoid robot, Optimus, which features an advanced hand upgrade capable of catching tennis balls thrown at high speed. The robot’s new hand design boasts advanced dexterity and can perform human-like movements.
Optimus is equipped with 40 electromechanical actuators, allowing for bipedal walking and precise object handling. Its battery-powered system supports extended operation, making it suitable for various tasks such as manufacturing and assembly lines.
Tesla plans to deploy pre-production prototypes of Optimus in its factories by late next year, with production units expected to be available by 2026. The company envisions applications for Optimus in industries like healthcare, emergency services, and household chores.
CEO Elon Musk has ambitious goals for the company, predicting that Optimus robots could position Tesla as a $25 trillion company. With an estimated price tag of $20,000 per unit, Musk anticipates significant profitability from the production of these robots.
However, some experts have raised doubts about Tesla’s claims of true autonomy and market readiness of its Optimus robots, despite their impressive presentation at recent events.
Source: https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/tesla-optimus-catch-tennis-balls