Is this robot your future housemate? Tesla's Optimus robot cooks, cleans, and leaves the internet torn between awe and alarm
The future of home help just took a giant humanoid step forward—straight into your kitchen. Tesla's Optimus robot, once dismissed as a dancing novelty, is back with a compelling new demo: cooking dinner, cleaning up, and even vacuuming the floor. The recently released video, captioned 'I'm not just dancing all day, ok,' showcases the android performing multiple domestic tasks with smooth, calculated precision. And yes, it's stirring a pot of food like a true home chef.
From meme material to potential must-have
Just a week ago, social media users poked fun at Optimus for showing off dance moves that felt more gimmicky than groundbreaking. But this latest reel has flipped the script. In it, Optimus is seen doing household chores—from dumping trash and wiping down a table to carefully tearing off a paper towel sheet. All these tasks, Tesla claims, are learned using natural language instructions. What's more, the robot is reportedly training to mimic human actions by watching everyday internet videos.
— Tesla_Optimus (@Tesla_Optimus)
Robots that learn from YouTube
According to Milan Kovac, head of the Optimus project, the team has hit a 'significant breakthrough' in training the bot directly from third-person videos found online. That means your robot assistant might soon learn how to make pancakes simply by watching your favorite Sunday brunch vlogger. Kovac suggests this new method could fast-track Optimus's learning curve, allowing it to master tasks without requiring manual programming or teleoperation.
Elon Musk's vision: Babysitter, dog-walker, best friend
Back in 2021, Elon Musk made big promises when unveiling Optimus—envisioning a robot that could babysit, fetch groceries, and even become your companion. While we aren't quite there yet, this recent display has made that sci-fi scenario feel slightly more plausible. Priced at around $20,000, Optimus won't be entering the average home soon, though Musk has hinted at rental options in the future.
The internet reacts: From admiration to existential dread
Predictably, Optimus's new skill set has sparked intense reactions online. Some are hailing it as a technological marvel, writing, 'Amazing! Love these updates. Keep them coming.' Others see it as a revolution in robotics and AI, warning competitors: 'Imagine competing with Tesla on both manufacturing and AI—the bot is a race to both.' Yet, a different camp isn't entirely at ease, with one user summing up the sentiment: 'This is exciting and terrifying at the same time.'
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Whether Optimus becomes your next sous-chef or sparks a robot uprising remains to be seen. But one thing is clear—Tesla isn't just building cars anymore; it's quietly ushering in a future where your next roommate might be a robot who does the dishes and never complains.
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