“Humanoids will create a prosperous future… Millions of units will be sold for less than $20,000”
Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled the humanoid robot ‘Optimus’ and announced plans to produce millions of units in the future and sell them for less than $20,000, foreign media such as Archyde.com, AP, and Bloomberg reported on the 30th (local time).
Musk introduced the Optimus prototype at the ‘Tesla AI Day’ event held in Palo Alto, Silicon Valley, California that day and said, “Mass-produced robots have the potential to change civilization. will,” he said.
The version of Optimus Musk said was developed in February walked out onto the stage and waved to the audience.
This model had parts and wires exposed to the outside.
Optimus didn’t perform more complex movements on stage, but Tesla did show pre-made videos showing Optimus performing tasks such as lifting boxes and moving boxes or watering flowerpots around the office.
“This robot can actually do a lot more than it just showed, but I don’t want to show it falling on stage,” Musk said.
“Current humanoid robots do not have brains, so they cannot solve problems on their own,” he said.
“We expect the robot price to be under $20,000,” he added.
The $20,000 is regarding a third of Tesla’s electric Model-Y price, foreign media reported.
Musk expects to be able to receive orders for robots within the next three to five years.
Other companies such as Toyota and Honda Motors have also started developing humanoid robots, and some have introduced robots that perform complex tasks such as shooting like a basketball player or participating in the car assembly process. Tesla is the only one driving development.
Tesla also unveiled the next-generation Optimus at the event.
This model, weighing 73 kg, is equipped with a 2.3 kWh battery pack on its chest and will have the ability to move its limbs on its own with built-in chips and actuators.
If the prototype that was first unveiled had no cover and all internal parts were exposed, this product was close to the finished product with its body covered with an exterior.
However, the model was not able to walk on its own, and staff had to lift it and set it up on the stage.
“The model isn’t ready to walk yet, but it will be in a few weeks,” Musk said.
Arizona State University professor Henry Ben Amor said, “Considering that the current humanoid robot price is regarding $100,000 (140 million won) per unit, it is a good topic for Musk to set the price at $20,000 per unit,” he said. There can be a significant gap between reality and reality.”
Aaron Johnson, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, said: “It is impressive that Tesla has reached a significant level (in the development of humanoid robots) very quickly, but it is still not clear where it will produce millions of these robots and where they will be used.” pointed out that there is room for
Optimus, unveiled on this day, is evaluated to be at an early level compared to other existing humanoid robots that run, climb stairs, and even somersault.
/yunhap news
