Tesla demonstrated its Optimus robot operating confidently and quickly in a laboratory for the first time. The new images show notable improvements in the robot’s stability, coordination and overall motor control.
Elon Musk’s company continues to accelerate the pace of development of the humanoid, planning mass production as early as next year at a price comparable to that of a car.
The video, titled “Just a New Personal Best in the Lab,” showcases Optimus’ improved gait and more precise motor control.
His stability, coordination and gait control have all improved significantly.
Previous updates generally focused on basic skills, such as taking the first steps, holding objects, and improving posture. The new video showing the robot in action therefore seems to be a success.
The 180 cm, 72 kg humanoid has more than 40 degrees of freedom, including 11 degrees of freedom in its hands for movements as close to human as possible.
Optimus runs on a 2.3 kWh battery, enough for almost a full working day.
Power consumption ranges from 100W idle to 500W running, making it one of the most energy-efficient models among existing humanoid prototypes.
At the same time, another video was released online comparing footage of Optimus development from May 2023 to December 2025.
The opening scene shows the robots hesitantly taking their first steps into a factory, while the final scene shows the model’s current state, with greatly improved balance and body control.
During the development of the project, Tesla repeatedly demonstrated Optimus’ new capabilities.
By mid-2025, the robot was confidently performing basic assembly operations, and by fall it had demonstrated smooth full-body movements and even kung fu training with a professional.
Although Optimus is still in development, Tesla plans mass production in 2026 and a price drop to between $20,000 and $30,000.
Automakers see robotics as the next strategic frontier.
Amid rising labor costs and global competition, humanoid robots could become the new backbone of production lines.
Originally published in The European Times.
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