Introduction
Optimus Gen 2 is the second generation of Tesla's prototype humanoid robot, which was unveiled in a demo video on December 13, 2023
Optimus Gen 2 is part of Tesla's vision to create artificial intelligence that can perform tasks that humans do not want to do or are unsafe for them to do
Optimus Gen 2 is designed to be similar in shape and size to humans, so that it can seamlessly replace human labor in various scenarios. Optimus Gen 2 employs a trained neural network to execute various tasks, such as walking, crouching, manipulating delicate objects, and dancing
Features and Improvements
Optimus Gen 2 has several features and improvements over the previous version, Optimus Gen 1, which was released in March 2023
Some of the main features and improvements are:
• Tesla-designed actuators and sensors: Optimus Gen 2 uses custom-made actuators and sensors that are integrated with the electronics and wiring, making the robot more compact and efficient
• 2-DoF actuated neck: Optimus Gen 2 has a neck that can move in two degrees of freedom (DoF), namely roll and pitch, allowing the robot to have a wider range of vision and head motion
• 30% walk speed boost: Optimus Gen 2 can walk at a speed of 5 mph, which is 30% faster than the previous version, thanks to the improved actuators, weight reduction, and control algorithms
• Foot force/torque sensing: Optimus Gen 2 has sensors on its feet that can measure the force and torque applied by the ground, enabling the robot to have better balance and stability
• Articulated toe sections and human foot geometry: Optimus Gen 2 has toes that can bend and flex, as well as a foot shape that resembles a human foot, giving the robot more natural and agile locomotion
• 10 kg total weight reduction: Optimus Gen 2 weighs 55 kg, which is 10 kg lighter than the previous version, without sacrificing any performance. The weight reduction is achieved by using lighter materials, such as engineering plastics, for the robot's body and shell
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2023/12/teslas-latest-humanoid-robot-optimus-gen-2-can-handle-eggs-without-cracking-them/.
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2023/12/teslas-latest-humanoid-robot-optimus-gen-2-can-handle-eggs-without-cracking-them/
• Improved balance and full-body control: Optimus Gen 2 has a more advanced control system that can coordinate the movements of the robot's joints and limbs, as well as adjust the robot's posture and center of mass, resulting in more stable and graceful motions
• Faster, 11-DoF brand-new hands: Optimus Gen 2 has hands that can move in 11 DoF, which is more than the previous version, allowing the robot to have more dexterous and precise manipulation skills. The robot's hands also have tactile sensors on all fingers, enabling the robot to sense the touch and pressure of the objects it handles
• Delicate objects manipulation: Optimus Gen 2 can handle delicate objects, such as eggs, without breaking them, demonstrating the robot's fine motor control and tactile feedback
Architecture and Specifications
Optimus Gen 2 has a modular architecture that consists of several components, such as the head, torso, arms, legs, and feet. The robot's head contains a LED display that serves as the robot's face, as well as a camera and a microphone that enable the robot to see and hear. The robot's torso contains the main computer and the battery that power the robot, as well as the waist joint that allows the robot to rotate its upper body. The robot's arms and legs contain the actuators and sensors that enable the robot to move and interact with the environment. The robot's feet contain the force/torque sensors and the toe sections that enable the robot to walk and balance.
The following table summarizes the specifications of Optimus Gen 2:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | 5'11" |
| Weight | 55 kg |
| Speed | 5 mph |
| Battery life | 4 hours |
| Degrees of freedom | 42 |
| Actuators | Tesla-designed |
| Sensors | Tesla-designed |
| Neural network | Tesla-trained |
Conclusion
Optimus Gen 2 is the latest version of Tesla's prototype humanoid robot, which shows significant progress and improvement over the previous version. Optimus Gen 2 has several features that make it more human-like, such as the actuated neck, the articulated toes, the brand-new hands, and the LED face. Optimus Gen 2 also has several improvements that make it more efficient and capable, such as the walk speed boost, the weight reduction, the foot force/torque sensing, and the delicate objects manipulation. Optimus Gen 2 is a promising step towards Tesla's goal of creating artificial intelligence that can perform tasks that humans do not want to do or are unsafe for them to do.
What is an actuator?
An actuator is a device that converts electrical energy into mechanical motion. It is a key component of any robot, as it enables the robot to move its joints and limbs. For example, an actuator can make a robot's arm bend at the elbow, or a robot's leg extend at the knee. Actuators can vary in size, shape, power, and speed, depending on the robot's design and function.
Why are Tesla-designed actuators important for Optimus Gen 2?
Optimus Gen 2 is a humanoid robot that is designed to perform tasks that humans do not want to do or are unsafe for them to do
https://electrek.co/2023/12/12/tesla-unveils-optimus-gen-2-next-generation-humanoid-robot/.
To achieve this goal, Optimus Gen 2 needs to have human-like movements and interactions, such as walking, crouching, manipulating delicate objects, and dancing
https://electrek.co/2023/12/12/tesla-unveils-optimus-gen-2-next-generation-humanoid-robot/.
Therefore, Optimus Gen 2 requires actuators that are powerful, precise, efficient, and reliable, to enable the robot to have smooth and natural motions.
Tesla has designed its own actuators for Optimus Gen 2, instead of using off-the-shelf products from other manufacturers. This is because Tesla believes that its own actuators can provide better performance and integration with the robot's electronics and wiring, making the robot more compact and efficient
https://electrek.co/2023/12/12/tesla-unveils-optimus-gen-2-next-generation-humanoid-robot/.
Tesla's actuators are also customized to fit the robot's shape and size, which are similar to humans, so that the robot can seamlessly replace human labor in various scenarios.
How do Tesla-designed actuators work on Optimus Gen 2?
Tesla-designed actuators are based on electric motors, which use magnets and coils to generate rotational motion. Tesla has optimized the design and configuration of the magnets and coils, as well as the materials and components, to achieve high torque, low weight, and low heat generation
https://electrek.co/2023/12/12/tesla-unveils-optimus-gen-2-next-generation-humanoid-robot/.
Tesla has also integrated the actuators with the sensors and the wiring, which are essential for the robot's feedback and control, to reduce the complexity and the space of the robot's body
https://electrek.co/2023/12/12/tesla-unveils-optimus-gen-2-next-generation-humanoid-robot/.
Tesla-designed actuators are distributed throughout the robot's body, enabling the robot to move in 42 degrees of freedom (DoF), which means the robot can move in 42 different ways. For example, the robot's neck can move in 2 DoF, namely roll and pitch, allowing the robot to have a wider range of vision and head motion
https://electrek.co/2023/12/12/tesla-unveils-optimus-gen-2-next-generation-humanoid-robot/.
The robot's hands can move in 11 DoF, which is more than the previous version, allowing the robot to have more dexterous and precise manipulation skills
https://electrek.co/2023/12/12/tesla-unveils-optimus-gen-2-next-generation-humanoid-robot/.
The robot's feet have force/torque sensors and articulated toe sections, enabling the robot to have better balance and stability
https://electrek.co/2023/12/12/tesla-unveils-optimus-gen-2-next-generation-humanoid-robot/.
Conclusion
Tesla-designed actuators are a crucial part of Optimus Gen 2, the latest version of Tesla's prototype humanoid robot, which shows significant progress and improvement over the previous version. Tesla-designed actuators enable the robot to have human-like movements and interactions, as well as high efficiency and reliability. Tesla-designed actuators are a result of Tesla's expertise and innovation in electric motors, batteries, and artificial intelligence, which are also applied to its vehicles and other products.
Problems in Developing Optimus Humanoid Robot
Optimus humanoid robot is a ambitious project that aims to create artificial intelligence that can perform tasks that humans do not want to do or are unsafe for them to do
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43154-021-00050-9.
However, developing such a robot is not easy, and there are many problems and challenges that need to be overcome. Some of the main problems are:
• Mechanical design and integration: Optimus humanoid robot is designed to be similar in shape and size to humans, so that it can seamlessly replace human labor in various scenarios. However, this also means that the robot has to deal with the complexity and constraints of the human body, such as the number and range of joints, the weight and balance, and the flexibility and robustness. Tesla has designed its own actuators and sensors for Optimus, which are integrated with the electronics and wiring, making the robot more compact and efficient
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43154-021-00050-9.
However, this also requires careful coordination and optimization of the mechanical components, as well as the trade-offs between performance and cost.
• Control and coordination: Optimus humanoid robot has 42 degrees of freedom (DoF), which means it can move in 42 different ways. This gives the robot a lot of flexibility and versatility, but also makes it harder to control and coordinate. Tesla has developed a more advanced control system that can coordinate the movements of the robot's joints and limbs, as well as adjust the robot's posture and center of mass, resulting in more stable and graceful motions
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43154-021-00050-9.
However, this also requires sophisticated algorithms and models, as well as real-time feedback and adaptation, to deal with the dynamics and uncertainties of the environment and the tasks.
• Perception and cognition: Optimus humanoid robot has a camera and a microphone on its head, which enable it to see and hear. Tesla has trained a neural network to execute various tasks, such as walking, crouching, manipulating delicate objects, and dancing
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43154-021-00050-9.
However, this also requires high-level perception and cognition, such as object recognition, scene understanding, semantic parsing, and reasoning. Tesla has not revealed much details about the robot's neural network, but it is likely that it still faces many challenges, such as generalization, robustness, and explainability, that are common in artificial intelligence.
• Human-robot interaction and social acceptance: Optimus humanoid robot is meant to interact with humans and work alongside them. Tesla has given the robot a LED display that serves as its face, as well as a voice and a personality, to make it more friendly and expressive
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43154-021-00050-9.
However, this also requires effective and natural human-robot interaction, such as communication, collaboration, and coordination. Tesla has not demonstrated how the robot can interact with humans, but it is likely that it still faces many challenges, such as understanding human intentions, emotions, and preferences, as well as respecting human values, norms, and ethics. Moreover, the robot also needs to gain social acceptance and trust from the public, which may have concerns about the robot's safety, privacy, and impact on employment.
Conclusion
Optimus humanoid robot is a promising prototype that shows Tesla's vision and innovation in humanoid robotics. However, developing such a robot is not easy, and there are many problems and challenges that need to be solved. Tesla has made some progress and improvement in some aspects, such as mechanical design, control, and neural network, but it still has a long way to go in other aspects, such as perception, cognition, human-robot interaction, and social acceptance. Optimus humanoid robot is still a work in progress, and it remains to be seen how it will perform in the real world.
