Tesla’s humanoid robot is still useless… but it dances!
This page is translated from the original post "Le robot humanoïde de Tesla ne sert toujours à rien… mais il danse !" in French.
- 13/05/2025 18:24
Elon Musk posted on his X account a new video of his Tesla Optimus humanoid robot, and what a groove!
Yes, you read that right, Tesla’s robot can now dance. Optimus, once heavy and awkward, seems to have perfected its movements, showing increased flexibility and control. And it must be acknowledged that seeing a humanoid robot able to perform jumps is surprising, to say the least. Judge for yourself, but keep in mind that there is no human under the costume. Just electronic chips and electric motors.
Let’s rewind a bit. During the Tesla AI Day in 2021, the idea of developing a humanoid robot was announced with fanfare. However, at that time, Tesla didn’t even have a prototype. To fill the gap, an actor in a robot costume was invited to dance on stage. The result was… let’s say, more comical than impressive.
A technological showcase for Tesla, while waiting to be a source of revenue
In 2022, Optimus took its first real steps at AI Day with semi-functional prototypes. One was walking, while another was waving its arms. Nothing to shake the robotics world. Critiques were plentiful, highlighting that many of these feats were still teleoperated.
Then, in 2023, Tesla presented Optimus Gen 2, which could tackle new challenges: sorting colored blocks, holding yoga poses, and, of course, dancing. Its hands increased from 11 to 22 degrees of freedom.
At the “We, Robot” event late last year, the Optimus robots impressed by serving drinks and playing rock-paper-scissors. But above all, they danced in sync.
So yes, one might wonder what the point is of paying an overpriced robot to dance. We’re not going to rent it for a wedding! And yet, one must admit that the progress is astonishing. Today, Optimus is in limited production at the Fremont factory, with over 1,000 units planned for 2025 and external sales in 2026.
Elon Musk claims that this robot could have a major economic impact by automating repetitive tasks. We could enter an “era of abundance” where goods and services become affordable for all. So, mockery aside, Optimus may indeed be ready to change the world… and not just on the dance floor.
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