Tesla Robotaxi and Optimus news
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Hey, everybody. Welcome back to the Elon Musk Podcast. This is a show where we discuss the critical crossroads that shape SpaceX, Tesla, X, The Boring Company, and Neuralink. I'm your host, Will Walden.

Elon Musk announced that Tesla is preparing major upgrades for its Optimus humanoid robot, a project that Musk considers crucial for both consumer use and the company's future valuation. Tesla has already delivered two generations of Optimus prototypes, each showing measurable improvements.

People are asking what exactly will change in the next version of the robot because those developments suggest that Tesla is determined to make Optimus a practical tool for daily tasks and industrial use. The robot, first revealed in concept form with a human in a spandex suit, now exists as functioning machines that assist in Tesla's manufacturing facilities.

Tesla developed Optimus Gen 2 with a range of refinements over the first prototype. Engineers reduced its weight by about 22 pounds, which boosted both its agility and energy efficiency. The second generation also achieved a 30% increase in walking speed compared to its predecessor.

The design team focused on dexterity, equipping Gen 2 with hands that feature 22 degrees of freedom, twice as many as Gen 1. And that change enabled the robot to grip and manipulate objects with greater precision. Tesla also added neck articulation, giving Optimus Gen 2 a 2 degree of freedom neck, where the original version had a fixed structure.

Now the mechanical design improvements extend to Optimus Gen 2's feet as well. Tesla incorporated foot force and torque sensors along with articulated toes shaped more like a human foot. These changes allowed better balance and smoother walking. The robot's total degrees of freedom increased to 28, expanding its range of motion. Tesla demonstrated these upgrades in public by having Optimus Gen 2 perform squats, yoga poses, and dances. And at one test...

It even poached an egg, showing fine motor control and coordination beyond what Gen 1 could manage. Tesla plans to begin limited internal production of Optimus this year for factory use. Public production could start by 2026, and the company believes it can produce at least 100,000 units annually by 2026 or sooner, depending on manufacturing capacity. Engineers are building the production line now, aiming to meet that goal.

Musk said the next Optimus iteration will include many more improvements, though he has not specified what features will change. But Tesla envisions future versions of Optimus handling routine chores such as

like folding your laundry, cooking, babysitting, and walking your dogs. And Musk suggested that capabilities like threading a needle could demonstrate the robot's precision in future models. Tesla is also progressing with its Robotaxi project. The company's driverless vehicles have become increasingly visible on public roads in Austin, Texas.

The first sighting of a driverless Tesla Robotaxi happened about a week ago. Tesla based the test platform on the Model Y, outfitting it for autonomous operation. The company marked the vehicles with unique decals on their doors, making them identifiable without the typical LIDAR sensors seen on other driverless cars like those from Waymo.

Additional robotaxi sightings followed throughout the past week as Tesla continued public road testing. Observers noted that the robotaxis have white interiors, which made it easy to confirm that no driver occupied the vehicles. The company is preparing to launch the robotaxi platform officially in Austin on June 22, according to Musk. It remains unclear whether Tesla will meet this date, but the company has made clear that it prioritizes safety before offering public rides.

Tesla is not limiting its Robotaxi just to Austin, though. The company has started seeking regulatory approvals in other areas, including California. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has assisted in this process by granting exemptions that ease the development path for driverless vehicles. The regulatory support could help Tesla move forward more efficiently and may benefit other manufacturers working on similar autonomous platforms.

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Now, Elon views both Optimus and Robotaxi platform as central to Tesla's strategy in automation and AI for the future. And Optimus, with its growing capabilities, could change how factories and households handle repetitive tasks. Robotaxi platform, starting with Model Y-based vehicles, could reshape urban transportation if the rollout succeeds as planned.

Tesla's dual focus on humanoid robots and autonomous vehicles shows how the company is channeling its resources into products designed to serve both the industry and the consumers at a larger scale.

It's not just a car company anymore. It's a robotic company and an AI company. The next phase for Optimus involves building a version capable of finer, more delicate work. And Tesla engineers are working now to make that happen. The next phase for Robotaxi involves completing the Austin launch and preparing for wider development in other cities. Both projects are huge, huge priorities for Tesla.

And they are working on scaling up automation beyond just their normal vehicles, including a Cybertruck.

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