Tesla's Optimus robot can do many things, including folding laundry and other household chores. Elon Musk knows that it's made to help humans in their daily tasks. Recently, he ambitiously claimed that the latest model of the machine can operate as a babysitter.
The tech billionaire envisions that this robot can drive Tesla's valuation to $25 trillion and predicts that over a thousand will be operational in Tesla factories by next year.
Optimus: Beyond Practicality to Companionship
Musk's statements extend beyond Optimus's industrial applications. He says these robots are practical assistants, companions, and even babysitters.
Trying to be useful lately! pic.twitter.com/TlPF9YB61W
— Tesla Optimus (@Tesla_Optimus) May 5, 2024
Upgraded Tesla Optimus Version
According to Interesting Engineering, the newest generation of the Tesla Optimus, Gen 2, boasts significant upgrades over its predecessor.
The humanoid robot has 22 degrees of freedom, enabling it to perform a variety of nimble actions. Tesla has showcased these advancements in promotional videos reminiscent of Boston Dynamics' viral Atlas footage.
Balancing Musk's Optimism with Realism
Elon Musk is known for his grandiose predictions, which must often be taken with a grain of salt.
For instance, he famously claimed in 2021 that Tesla would achieve fully self-driving Level 5 autonomy by the end of the year. While such claims have not always materialized on schedule, many of Musk's overreaching predictions have come to fruition.
SpaceX, for example, has dramatically reduced the cost of space travel with its Falcon 9 rideshare program.
The Vision of a 'Friendly' Optimus Companion
Musk's vision for Optimus includes the potential integration of a large language model (LLM) like Chat-GPT, which would enable the robot to communicate with its owner.
During Tesla's 2024 annual shareholder meeting in Austin, Texas, Musk elaborated on his "companion" vision regarding the robot.
"It's, you know, your companion, it can be at your house, it can babysit your kids, it could be a teacher. It, you know, it can do factory stuff. Who doesn't want a C3PO? You know, but a C3PO plus R2D2 plus, you know, plus plus. It would be pretty awesome. I think everyone in the world is going to want one. Literally everyone," Musk said.
Musk is no stranger to controversy, often making headlines with his outspoken views. He has previously suggested that adults without children should lose their voting rights and has expressed concern about declining birth rates, labeling them "the biggest danger civilization faces."
These statements, while provocative, hint at a narrative connecting Musk's vision for Optimus with demographic trends.
If Tesla aims to introduce the first robot babysitter, a higher number of children could indeed help it reach the projected $25 trillion valuation.
Can Optimus Live Up to Hype?
While the realization of Musk's full vision for Optimus remains uncertain, the potential impact of these robots on both industry and daily life is undeniable.
As the automaker continues to innovate, the Gen 2 Optimus could revolutionize how we think about automation, companionship, and even childcare. Musk is determined to make the prospect of a versatile, AI-powered robot in every home a futuristic dream.
There's nothing wrong with establishing claims if the company is sure that it can do its job someday. After all, Musk should continue to improve the technology he developed in robotics.
