Elon Musk Just Debuted Tesla's First Humanoid Robot: 'A Fundamental Transformation for Civilization As We Know It.'

A prototype called 'Optimus' walked on stage at Tesla's 2022 AI Day presentation. Musk expects to sell the bots for under $20,000.

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ByJonathan Small

A prototype ofTesla'shumanoid robot named "Optimus" took the stage tonight for the first time as part of Tesla's 2022 AI Day presentation.

与电子音乐刺耳disco lights flashing, Optimus strolled, albeit carefully, towards the audience and lifted its arms in what appeared to be a "raise the roof" gesture.

Dressed in a futuristic black leather jacket and black pants, Tesla's CEOElon Muskrevealed that "this is literally the first time the robot has operated without a tether."

Musk then explained that the robot could do much more than walk around the stage and wave.

"We just didn't want it to fall on its face," he joked.

A video revealed the robot lifting boxes, watering plants, and doing odd jobs around Tesla's Fremont factory.

Musk then introduced another version of Optimus, which is further along in the development stage and closer to the model that will go to market. Although this bot wasn't ready to walk yet, it has actuators, a battery pack, and a control system taken from Tesla's cars.

Musk said this robot will be able to move all its fingers independently and have opposable thumbs, allowing it to hold and operate tools.

"Our goal is to make a useful humanoid robot as quickly as possible," Musk said.

Like the Tesla cars, he hopes to make them at high volume and low cost. Musk said this is what will ultimately differentiate his humanoid robots from competitors.

He predicted making the Optimus in "millions of units" at a cost of "less than $20,000."

"It'll be a fundamental transformation for civilization as we know it," Musk said.

Related:Elon Musk Might Not Respond to Your Texts, Even When Offering Him Billions — And Other Fascinating Moments from the Twitter Court Case Text Dump

Jonathan Small

Entrepreneur Staff

Editor in Chief of Green Entrepreneur

Jonathan Small is editor-in-chief ofGreen Entrepreneur, a vertical from Entrepreneur Media focused on the intersection of sustainability and business. He is also an award-winning journalist, producer, and podcast host of the upcoming True Crime series, Dirty Money, andWrite About Nowpodcasts. Jonathan is the founder ofStrike Fire Productions, a premium podcast production company. He had held editing positions atGlamour,Stuff,Fitness, andTwistMagazines. His stories have appeared inThe New York Times, TV Guide,Cosmo,Details, andGood Housekeeping. Previously, Jonathan served as VP of Content for the GSN (the Game Show Network), where he produced original digital video series.

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