Walking Tesla Optimus Robot, very useful for humans

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, recently shared an intriguing update on the social media platform X, showcasing the latest advancements in Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus. Accompanying the video, Musk captioned it, “Accurate actuators accelerate automation,” hinting at the technological breakthroughs driving this project.

The video features Optimus walking with a human-like gait, asignificant improvement over previous demonstrations. This development underscores Tesla’s ambitious push into robotics and automation.

Tesla’s focus on “accurate actuators” suggests improvements in the precision, speed, and control of Optimus’s movements. This could involve advanced servo motors or custom-built systems designed to mimic human biomechanics.

Such enhancements would allow Optimus to navigate complex environments and perform tasks with greater reliability, key requirements for its intended applications in factories and beyond. While Tesla has not released detailed technical specifications, the video evidence implies a leap in actuator technology, likely supported by the company’s expertise in electric vehicle engineering.

Optimus, first unveiled as a concept in 2021 and showcased as a prototype at Tesla’s AI Day in 2022, is designed to be a general-purpose humanoid robot. Musk envisions it handling repetitive or dangerous tasks.

Recent statements from Musk during Tesla’s Q1 2025 All-Hands meeting indicate ambitious production goals. He has claimed that Tesla aims to produce a “legion” of Optimus robots, potentially 5,000 units, by the end of 2025, with plans for mass production of over 10,000 units for broader markets by 2026.

The improved walking ability showcased in the video is a crucial step toward these goals. A robot that can move naturally and confidently is better equipped to operate in dynamic, human-centric environments, whether it’s navigating factory floors or assisting in households. Musk has also hinted at pricing Optimus between $20,000 and $30,000, making it an affordable alternative to human labor in the long term.

Tesla’s advancements in Optimus are likely fueled by a combination of its AI capabilities and hardware expertise. The company’s experience with self-driving technology, particularly its neural networks and sensor systems, has parallels in robotics.

Optimus is expected to leverage similar AI for environmental perception and decision-making, paired with hardware innovations like its 22-degrees-of-freedom hands, as noted in reports from Teslarati.com.