At Tesla's latest earnings call this week, Elon Musk provided an update on the company's Optimus humanoid robots and the expectation to launch a prototype version soon. Humanoid robots have been showing up on and off for several years, but most of them are little more than glorified bobble-heads, with no real functionality apart from looking the part. However, Tesla's upcoming bots might be a little different.

The world has seen a series of humanoid robots over the years, including the bipedal Atlas robot developed by Boston Dynamics. The company even released a video last year, showing the machine tackling an obstacle course that included balance beams, vaults, and more. While humanoids that do parkour and gymnastics are great to watch, they do not necessarily have great use in the real world, something that Tesla's upcoming bot promises to change.

Related: These Researchers Are Working On Humanoid Robots That Can Fly

Elon Musk said that the expectation is that Tesla's Optimus robots will help resolve future labor shortages. According to Musk, they might be deployed to move parts around the factory or chores that might reduce the need for manual labor. The Tesla bots will reportedly be 5-foot-8-inches in height and weight 125-pounds. They will also run on the same AI technology that powers Tesla's autopilot system. According to Business Insider, Musk also expects the robot business to be more valuable for Tesla than its current vehicle business, despite high-profile releases like the Cybertruck and the Roadster expected to happen in the coming years. Musk further expects the first job for the Optimus robots will be inside Tesla’s own factories.

First Prototypes Expected This Year

Tesla Bot Size Weight Speed And Strength

Tesla first announced its humanoid robot during its AI Day event in 2021. According to the company, the bot will be designed to handle tasks that are either too mundane or too dangerous for humans. It will reportedly be able to deadlift 150 pounds and carry 45. The company further added that the robots might also be able to do grocery runs for their human masters, although that was quickly mocked by online commentators with references to dystopian sci-fi movies. While Tesla has yet to come out with a prototype of its proposed Optimus humanoid, it has released concept images that show the robot as a sleek bipedal machine, resembling an average human.

The Optimus humanoid robot is still in the concept stage, which means it is still a long way away from entering mass production. Musk, however, said that Tesla will reveal the first prototypes of its new bot in 2022, although there's no exact ETA just yet. There's also no word on the pricing for now, but for companies wanting to put these machines into action, they are unlikely to come cheap. In the meantime, there will likely be more news about Tesla's Optimus humanoid robots in the weeks and months to come.

Next: What Is Grimace Coin? Elon Musk & McDonald's Birthed A Meme Coin

Source: Business Insider