Tesla has unveiled a brand new and upgraded hand for its Optimus humanoid robotic and launched a formidable albeit nonetheless teleoperated demonstration.
The Optimus program is considerably controversial for Tesla. That is partly as a result of it’s a vital departure from Tesla’s core merchandise, however the firm has additionally created doubts about issues like not disclosing that its robots at its latest ‘We, Robotic’ had been remotely operated by people.
It wasn’t as a lot that they wanted to be teleoperated, however the truth that Tesla didn’t disclose it till after the occasion.
Now, Tesla has launched a brand new video to show Optimus’ newest robotic hand:
The brand new hand is rather more practical, and it really has tendons, very similar to a human hand. Tesla says that it has 22 levels of freedom on the hand and one other three on the wrist and forearm.
This time, Tesla was faster to verify that this Optimus was additionally teleoperated on this demonstration.
Milan Kovac, the pinnacle of the Optimus program, elaborated about what’s subsequent within the brief time period for the robotic:
There’s nonetheless some work to complete by the tip of yr, specifically round prolonged tactile sensing integration (rather more floor protection than the earlier hand), very advantageous controls by means of tendons, and shaving some weight off the forearm. All actuation has been moved to the forearm, which has elevated its weight. Fascinating problem round having sufficient squishiness/compliance and a protecting layer on the fingers and palm, with out affecting tactile sensing an excessive amount of.
Tesla says that it’s already utilizing some Optimus robots in its manufacturing unit because it continues to develop this system, however it’s anticipated to ramp up subsequent yr.
Electrek’s Take
Helpful fingers and dexterity are a few of the hardest elements of humanoid robots, and it seems like Tesla is making vital progress on that entrance.
I really don’t thoughts the teleoperated half. It’s solely when Tesla doesn’t disclose it, like on the ‘We, Robotic’, that it turns into an issue for me.
What I discover thrilling with humanoid robots proper now could be the enhancements in robotics reaching a stage the place the robots can really obtain dexterity and autonomy on par with or surpassing people, simply as AI is enhancing at a formidable tempo to make use of that dexterity and autonomy.
You need robotics to be prepared by the point AI achieves excessive ranges sufficient to be helpful inside these robots. It seems like Tesla is getting near that on the robotics entrance, and I’ve little question that AI can be there quickly.
In actual fact, I imagine that Tesla will obtain humanoid robotic usefulness at scale earlier than it does unsupervised robotaxi at scale.
People obtain ranges of helpful dexterity before they’ll function automobiles at excessive speeds in advanced environments. I wouldn’t be shocked if it’s the identical for AI.