Tesla Shows Optimus Robot Walking Up and Down Hills
Tesla recently shared a video showcasing its Optimus robot’s ability to walk up and down hills, marking a significant advancement in the robot’s capabilities. The video clip demonstrates Optimus navigating highly variable terrain using neural nets to control its electric limbs, a feat that brings the robot closer to resembling a Terminator-like figure.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, commented on the achievement, stating, “Optimus can now walk on highly variable ground using neural nets to control its electric limbs. Join @Tesla if you want to work on interesting real-world AI systems.” The video captures Optimus effortlessly maneuvering up and down a hill, with the caption playfully suggesting that “daily walks help clear your mind.”
One particularly impressive moment in the video occurs when Optimus momentarily loses its footing but quickly regains balance, showcasing the robot’s adaptability and resilience. Milan Kovac, a member of the Tesla team, highlighted the challenges faced during the demonstration, noting that Optimus was navigating mulched ground without the aid of visual input, relying solely on other on-board sensors and a neural net operating at lightning speed on its embedded computer.
Exciting developments lie ahead as Tesla continues to enhance Optimus’s capabilities, including the integration of vision to improve planning, refining the robot’s gait for natural movement on rough terrain, and implementing safety measures for falls and recovery. Kovac emphasized the team’s focus on areas such as reinforcement learning, imitation learning, and robotics foundation models as they work towards making Optimus accessible to a wider audience at an accelerated pace.
Previously showcased catching a tennis ball with precision, Optimus now demonstrates superior walking skills that outshine those of inebriated humans. The robot’s ability to navigate blind terrain is a testament to its advanced technology and adaptive intelligence, setting the stage for further innovation in the field of robotics.
As Tesla pushes the boundaries of AI and robotics with Optimus, the possibilities for real-world applications and advancements in human-robot interaction continue to expand. Stay tuned for more updates on Optimus and Tesla’s groundbreaking developments in the realm of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems.