Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot looks more and more like you: its hands surprised everyone with their movement

Optimus, Tesla's humanoid robot, has garnered attention for the realism of its hands and its ability to accurately mimic human movements, such as bending fingers or pointing with agility.

This robot is approximately 1.73 meters tall and weighs about 57 kilograms. It is made of lightweight materials and uses the same type of batteries and actuators found in Tesla's electric vehicles.

In demonstrations led by Elon Musk, Optimus has shown that it can grasp objects like drinks, lift heavy packages, and even interact with children, solidifying remarkable advances in humanoid robotics.

What is Tesla's Optimus Like

Tesla defines Optimus as a "humanoid friend" designed to safely assist with household tasks.

During its presentation, practical examples were highlighted, such as picking up packages, watering plants, and performing various other household chores.

Among its potential functions are also helping in the kitchen, reminding users to take medication, receiving deliveries at the door, and offering interactive companionship, thus contributing to improving the quality of life and independence of users in their homes.

To acquire an Optimus Prime at home, those interested will have to wait until 2026, the year in which large-scale production is planned, according to Elon Musk on X (formerly Twitter).

Furthermore, an estimated budget of between $20,000 and $30,000 will be necessary, the range in which its long-term price will fall. Musk maintained that this cost would make it accessible to the masses in the future, in addition to being lower than that of a car.

"I think this will be the greatest product ever created, because I think everyone is going to want an Optimus Prime," Musk stated during the "We, Robot" event, where he also unveiled the Cybercab.

During this event, Optimus Prime was the star of the show: serving drinks, interacting with attendees, and performing choreographed dances to Daft Punk's "Robot Rock" and Haddaway's "What is Love."

Elon Musk compared the robot to iconic science fiction figures like R2-D2 and C-3PO from Star Wars, highlighting its potential as a versatile personal assistant.

In the past, it was thought that Optimus Prime would be designed solely for use in Tesla's car factories, with no indication of a home oriented version. It wasn't expected to be suitable for safe interaction in domestic environments, especially in the presence of children.

At We Robot, where Optimus was showcased live, Elon Musk also unveiled the Cybercab, Tesla's autonomous taxi. This vehicle, whose aesthetic is inspired by the Cybertruck, stands out for its futuristic design and the absence of a steering wheel and pedals.

The Cybercab features vertically opening doors and a capacity for two passengers, offering an innovative alternative for autonomous transportation.

Optimus is a long term project at Tesla.

The Optimus project, under Elon Musk's leadership, began to take shape in 2021 when a person dressed as a dancing robot appeared at an event, hinting at the development of a humanoid robot.

In 2022, Musk presented the first prototype and expressed his goal of mass producing it, with an estimated price below $20,000.

In 2023, Musk reported significant advancements, such as improvements to Optimus's hands, which could now precisely manipulate delicate objects and lift heavy loads, thanks to new sensors and enhanced balance control.

Initially, it was thought that Optimus would only operate in Tesla factories. However, in 2024, a more advanced version was unveiled at a live event, where Optimus surprised everyone by serving cocktails and dancing.

This latest model reinforces Musk's vision of a multifunctional and accessible robot, with a projected price between $20,000 and $30,000, designed for both industrial and home use, and capable of safely interacting with children.