Tesla's humanoid robot 'Optimus' is poised to make a surprising appearance in Taiwan. Tesla Taiwan announced on October 3 that it will first exhibit the robot at its service experience center in Neihu, Taipei, and then at experience centers in Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung. The move aims to allow the public to catch a glimpse of Tesla's innovative strides not only in the automotive field, but also in the realm of robotics.
Tesla Taiwan's proactive efforts played a pivotal role in bringing 'Optimus' to Taiwan, and the technology has generated substantial global interest and discussion in recent years. The primary goal is to offer the public an opportunity to interact with 'Optimus' and promote the understanding of artificial intelligence (AI). The exhibition currently focuses on conceptual static displays.
With this remarkable feat of innovation, Tesla's journey into robotics that started in 2021 has witnessed astonishing progress in less than two years. A recent video shared by CEO Elon Musk demonstrated the robot's rapid evolution from stationary displays to autonomous learning capabilities, including object classification and even the performance of complex yoga movements, and showcasing remarkable motor control abilities.
According to available information, the Tesla humanoid robot stands at 172 centimeters tall and weighs 56.6 kilograms, resembling the size of an average adult. With a total of 28 degrees of freedom throughout its body equivalent to human joints and 11 degrees of freedom in its hands, 'Optimus' possesses agile grasping capabilities exemplified by its ability to single-handedly lift a piano.
Experts within the robotics industry are astounded by Tesla's rapid progress, anticipating that it will catalyze advancements in the robotics sector. Tesla's venture into robotics isn't centered on hardware alone as its primary focus is on showcasing the advanced AI technology underpinning the robot's capabilities.
Reports suggest that the robot incorporates technology derived from Tesla's electric vehicles, including the full self-driving (FSD) computer and identical visual neural networks, effectively transferring Tesla's autonomous driving AI technology to the robot platform. Official videos demonstrate the robot's autonomous learning capabilities, enabling it to reposition pre-categorized items even in the face of interference without prior training.
Tesla's robot development process parallels its approach to vehicle manufacturing, utilizing similar battery packaging, charging management, cooling systems, and collision avoidance technology. The distinguishing factor lies in the robot's design, featuring six types with 28 sets of actuators spread across its body and limbs, providing optimal motion control and torque delivery for various postures.
While Tesla has yet to announce a timeline for mass production of 'Optimus,' the company's consistent ability to captivate industry attention with each new development suggests an exciting future. Elon Musk's vision for humanoid robots is centered on automating repetitive, hazardous and mundane tasks, potentially revolutionizing productivity in Tesla's factories and beyond.
