This week, Tesla once again made waves in the tech world when its humanoid robot, “Optimus,” charmed the crowd during the unveiling of the company’s robo-van. The robots not only wandered through the audience but also impressed with their human-like speech, using modern slang, verbal pauses, and accents that made them feel like part of everyday life. Tesla is pushing beyond creating robots for simple tasks—they are developing characters designed to sound and interact as naturally as possible.
During the event, Optimus emerged from a warehouse and mingled with the crowd, demonstrating its ability to perform household tasks like picking up packages from the porch or watering plants. Alongside Optimus, Tesla also introduced their new robo-van. “Optimus will walk among you,” said Tesla CEO Elon Musk. “You’ll be able to approach them, and they’ll be able to offer you a drink.” Musk boldly claimed that these robots would “do everything,” from walking the dog and babysitting to mowing the lawn. As for the price, Musk estimated that Optimus would cost between $20,000 and $30,000.
After the presentation, videos circulated showing the robots interacting with attendees, chatting around tables, playing games, and even handing out small gift bags. In a playful moment, one robot played rock-paper-scissors with guests, while several others danced inside a gazebo, further adding to the excitement of the event. However, it’s important to note that the robots featured in the videos were actors demonstrating future capabilities, not autonomous machines.
Tesla first introduced the concept of Optimus in 2021, though many initially dismissed it as a joke when a person in a robot costume danced on stage. Now, Musk is presenting Optimus as a revolutionary technology that will go far beyond simplifying daily tasks. He described it as “the biggest revolution of any kind” and believes that once millions of these robots are produced, they will drastically boost the global economy. Musk even suggested that robots like Optimus could help “end poverty” by significantly improving labor productivity.
According to Musk’s statements in April 2024, Optimus is already in advanced stages of development. He expects the robots to start performing “useful” tasks by the end of this year, with commercial availability as early as the end of 2025. This could mean that Tesla’s robots may soon become a part of everyday life for many people. With an estimated price between $20,000 and $30,000, Optimus could be accessible to both private individuals and businesses. Initially, the robots may be used for basic tasks like cleaning, security, and home assistance, but they could eventually expand into more complex roles, such as medical support or education.
Tesla’s vision for the future is not just about technological innovation but also about how technology can seamlessly integrate into daily life. Robots like Optimus are being designed not only to perform practical tasks but to interact naturally with people. Tesla is investing heavily in making these robots feel lifelike, with natural speech patterns, accents, and even the use of everyday slang. If successful, Tesla could usher in a new era where robots become an integral part of human society, going beyond mere tools and becoming embedded in our daily lives in unprecedented ways.
