It certain looks as if the Optimus robots at Tesla’s occasion had been below human management

We didn’t study a lot new from Tesla’s Robotaxi occasion final night time, however one piece of data we had been trying ahead to was somewhat info on Optimus, Tesla’s humanoid robotic. And we received some, however it’s perhaps rather less flattering to Tesla than some might need appreciated.

After unveiling the Robotaxi/Cybercab and Robovan, Tesla CEO Elon Musk went on to provide us somewhat bit of data on the Optimus humanoid robotic that the corporate has been engaged on.

Musk talked about “we began up with somebody in a robotic swimsuit, after which we’ve progressed dramatically 12 months after 12 months” as a number of robots walked out in entrance of the group.

He referred to those as “your personal private R2D2 C3-PO,” and that in the long run, these robots would value lower than a automotive – particularly, ~$20k-$30k. A video additionally described them as an “autonomous assistant, humanoid good friend” which may very well be used for principally any process you’ll be able to consider.

Musk stated that Optimus could be “the most important product of any type, ever” and figured everybody on Earth would need one or two of them, which is language he has used earlier than (nevermind that many of the 8 billion individuals on Earth would not have the wealth to afford one new automotive, a lot much less two). He additionally stated that it could end in an “age of abundance” the place the price of all the things would drop dramatically.

However past all that, Tesla took this occasion as a chance to debut Optimus in entrance of – and amongst – a reside viewers. Musk stated:

One of many issues we wished to indicate tonight was that Optimus shouldn’t be a canned video, it’s not walled-off. The Optimus robots will stroll amongst you. Please be good to the Optimus robots. So that you’ll be capable to stroll proper as much as them… they usually’ll serve drinks on the bar, and also you’ll instantly… I imply it’s a wild expertise simply to have humanoid robots they usually’re there, simply in entrance of you.

He then ended his speech by throwing to a gaggle of humanoid robots dancing in a gazebo (not not like a video made by Honda ten years in the past…), and attendees had been certainly in a position to work together with these robots in individual.

Tesla’s occasion stream continued by displaying movies of the get together, together with some movies of visitors interacting with robots. The robots waved, handed out goodie baggage, served drinks, posed for pictures, walked by means of the group, and even performed rock paper scissors (although, once more, not in addition to this robotic with a 100% winrate from 12 years in the past).

The robots did all have a Tesla worker “minder” watching them carefully, however visibly holding some kind of signaling system of their hand. Within the video, you’ll be able to see one of many staff working this system.

The official Tesla video (which had no audio, as music was taking part in over it) additionally confirmed a number of robots serving drinks, although these weren’t customized blended drinks, merely two decisions of pre-mixed drinks served from beer faucets. The robots appeared to take action efficiently sufficient, although they had been considerably wobbly whereas serving the drinks (see right here), which appeared odd – as if the robots weren’t all that nice at balancing themselves, or their motions weren’t correctly damped or one thing.

However then, attendees began posting movies from the occasion, and one thing appeared… off.

There may be one widely-shared video of an worker seeming to set off Musk’s Robotaxi departure from a cellphone – however that’s comprehensible sufficient, on condition that Waymo’s currently-operating Stage 4 taxis interface with the rider’s cellphone to unlock the automotive and begin a journey as effectively, and it is sensible from a stage administration perspective of retaining the occasion operating on cue (albeit 40+ minutes late).

However the stranger movies had been of direct interactions with the Optimus robots that “walked amongst us” within the crowd.

It seems the robots every had a voice and may very well be talked to. So, you might make a drink order, and even simply have a dialog with the robots that had been strolling the group.

What Tesla is doing with Optimus is insane. It’s actually the robotic from iRobot starring Will Smith. #WeRobot pic.twitter.com/zM9pkkyOCu

— Austin (@AustinPlanet) October 11, 2024

In dialog, the robots had been impressively lifelike of their conversational tone, responding shortly and with pure speech. We’ve seen some fascinating developments on this respect from ChatGPT 4o, with pure intonation, however you’ll be able to nonetheless inform that there’s one thing robotic occurring there.

However maybe they had been too spectacular, as a result of these conversations definitely appear to have a human on the opposite aspect of them.

He didn’t even ask for a tip!@Tesla_Optimus #teslabot #werobot pic.twitter.com/4r0ONZSk11

— Kim Java (@ItsKimJava) October 11, 2024

Every of the robots we’ve seen had a distinct voice, and a distinct accent – although largely California or Texas accents, the 2 places the place Tesla has important presence. One even reportedly spoke Spanish, impressing one attendee, although conversational Spanish can also be not notably unusual within the areas the place Tesla operates, so the worker behind the scenes may effectively simply be bilingual.

This video, particularly, of a robotic speaking in regards to the geography of the Bay Space, is a enjoyable one. Not solely does the robotic make a really human error when it asks whether or not the attendee lives within the “Santa Clarita” space close to San Jose (it’s Santa Clara – Santa Clarita is in Southern California, not the Bay Space), it additionally hears a non-standard pronunciation “Los Gatos” after which responds with a extra widespread one.