Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, unveiled a model of a humanoid robot that he claimed makes use of the AI software and sensor technology that Tesla uses to power its high-tech driver assistance capabilities. Musk conceded that last year they had “a guy in a suit” but guaranteed something much more remarkable on Friday at the beginning of Tesla’s 2022 AI Day presentation.

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While there is more potential, according to Musk, “the first time it walked without a tether was tonight on stage.” Musk stated that they intend to sell it for “probably less than $20,000.”

A deconstructed Optimus moved forward and performed a “raise the roof” dance routine as the stage’s back doors opened.

Musk would later acknowledge that they wanted to keep it safe and avoid having it “fall flat on its face” by performing too many movements on stage.

The business then played back a few videos of the robot performing other duties, like picking up boxes. Then, another incompletely working prototype was unveiled by the Tesla team, despite having a fully constructed body. The first robot that was displayed had only been developed in the previous six months, it was disclosed.

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It boasts Wi-Fi and LTE connectivity, a 2.3kWh battery pack, and a Tesla SoC feature.  A presentation showed how the robot’s knee, constructed with several mechanical actuators and tuned joints was modelled after an actual human knee. The hands, which are likewise human-inspired, are made to pick up objects of all shapes and sizes and are capable of holding a 20-pound sack in one hand.

Tesla’s autopilot software was transferred from its cars to the bot and modified to function in the new structure and surroundings.

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“It’ll be a fundamental transformation for civilization as we know it,” according to Musk. He goes on to argue that Optimus may potentially increase economic output by “two orders of magnitude.”

At last year’s AI Day, Musk originally announced the “Tesla Bot,” promising that it will be “friendly” and maybe transform the company’s production and assembly line operations.

Previously, Musk had urged his followers not to anticipate the prototype to resemble the glossy, black-and-white depiction first displayed at the event last year.

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However, there has been no lack of enthusiasm, with Musk describing the robot as “the most important product development we’re doing this year” and asserting that it may eventually become “more significant than the vehicle business over time.”