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Robotics

Tesla unveils functional prototypes of its planned humanoid robot

By Ben Coxworth
October 03, 2022
Tesla unveils functional prototypes of its planned humanoid robot
The Bumble C robot takes the stage in Palo Alto, California
The Bumble C robot takes the stage in Palo Alto, California
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The Bumble C robot takes the stage in Palo Alto, California
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The Bumble C robot takes the stage in Palo Alto, California
Bumble C walked across the stage unaided by a tether, which was reportedly a first for the robot
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Bumble C walked across the stage unaided by a tether, which was reportedly a first for the robot
The Optimus prototype gets by with a little help from its friends
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The Optimus prototype gets by with a little help from its friends
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Last August, Elon Musk announced that Tesla was working on a bipedal humanoid robot that could perform boring and/or dangerous tasks for humans. His company has now unveiled two prototypes, one of which can already walk on its own.

The big reveal took place at a Tesla office in Palo Alto, California last Friday (Sept. 30th), as part of Tesla's AI Day presentation.

After an introduction by Musk, a "rough development" prototype named Bumble C slowly walked out onto the stage, waved to the audience, did a double fist-pump, then walked back off again. This was reportedly the first time that the robot had walked completely on its own, unsupported by any overhead tethers.

Bumble C walked across the stage unaided by a tether, which was reportedly a first for the robot
Bumble C walked across the stage unaided by a tether, which was reportedly a first for the robot

A video presentation then showed some practical applications of the robot. Supported by a tether in the footage, Bumble C picked up and carried a box, picked up a watering can and watered some plants, then picked up and placed a steel bar. In all cases, its onboard object recognition system was able to visually identify the target items.

Musk then proceeded to announce a slicker, more streamlined prototype – named Optimus – which is reportedly much closer to the planned untethered production model. Because it's not yet able to walk, it had to be pushed out by a group of technicians, after which it did demonstrate some arm, hand and leg movements.

The Optimus prototype gets by with a little help from its friends
The Optimus prototype gets by with a little help from its friends

While both robots currently utilize "semi-off-the shelf" actuators, Musk stated that the final version will feature custom Tesla actuators, batteries and control systems. Plans also call for it to be able to move all of its fingers independently (including an opposable thumb). As is the case with the existing prototypes, it will utilize an adapted version of the AI-based autopilot technology already used in Tesla automobiles.

According to Musk, the company's ultimate goal is to develop a fully autonomous robot that can be easily manufactured in large numbers, thus possibly keeping its price somewhere below US$20,000.

You can see the robots in action in the video below, starting around the 16:55 mark.

Tesla AI Day 2022

Source: Tesla

View gallery - 3 images

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RoboticsTeslaHumanoidElon MuskbipedArtificial IntelligenceTesla Robot
6 comments
Ben Coxworth
Ben Coxworth
Based out of Edmonton, Canada, Ben Coxworth has been writing for New Atlas since 2009 and is presently Managing Editor for North America. An experienced freelance writer, he previously obtained an English BA from the University of Saskatchewan, then spent over 20 years working in various markets as a television reporter, producer and news videographer. Ben is particularly interested in scientific innovation, human-powered transportation, and the marine environment.

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6 comments
vince
The robot is $20,000. However, the manual controlled software to move it is another $100,000. And if you want full 'FSD' software like their Tesla auto's you have to fork up $250,000+.
Daishi
My position that biped robots are good science fiction but bad science/engineering hasn't changed in decades doesn't seem likely to come under challenge in the decades to come. It seems like they are about a year of work behind where the Honda ASIMO prototypes were in the late 90's. There is a huge difference between walking around waving at people and doing useful work.
guzmanchinky
I think it's a useful step forward. I look forward to a day when bots do all the dirty work...
Smokey_Bear
Vince - Your sarcasm is warranted, and it WILL cost more then 20k, but I don't think they will have any other charges involved, but time will tell.

Daishi - AI is leaps & bounds better then it was back then. Perhaps as graceful as a 90's ASIMO, but by next year it will be close to Boston Dynamics, a year after that, they will be the leader, and have them doing easier jobs in their factories.

Guzmanchinky - you mean work...not dirty work. The main focus may initially fall towards Dull, Dirty, Dangerous. But that will quickly spread to all jobs, everywhere.
We might be a decade away from nobody having to work. That's a crazy thought.
Daishi
@Smokey_Bear You conflate software and hardware. Biped robots are hardware not software. They are expensive, mechanically complex, and unreliable. Yes AI has improved but that's still software and not magic and it's good on some (narrowly specified) but not all (more general) tasks. If I'm wrong they could always try asking the AI to design a biped robot that can power itself on battery for more than a couple minutes with a tether or even walk on its own without being pushed out onto stage. People who think this thing is going to replace general workers are underestimating the complexity of many jobs. Buy one and ask it to replace your deck but be sure to get video of how that works out for you. You say a year to catch Boston Dynamics and a year to replace factory workers. Remind me in a couple years how that prediction went.
michael_dowling
Is it just me,or does the Bumble C prototype bring to mind the T-800?