Elon Musk, the innovative mind behind Tesla and SpaceX, has once again sparked global discussion with his latest invention—a robot designed to fold clothes. Known for consistently pushing technological boundaries, Musk recently introduced the Tesla Optimus robot, a creation that has left people both fascinated and divided.
The Optimus Robot Makes Waves
In a recent video posted on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, Musk showcased the Optimus robot in action. The footage featured the humanoid machine autonomously folding a black shirt with precision, sparking both admiration and curiosity. Captioned simply as “Optimus folds a shirt,” the post quickly went viral, attracting the attention of millions of viewers.
The robot stood by a table, seamlessly handling the task of folding without visible assistance. However, Musk later clarified that the video did not represent the robot’s current autonomous capabilities entirely. In a follow-up statement, he explained, “Optimus cannot yet do this autonomously, but certainly will be able to do this fully autonomously and in an arbitrary environment (won’t require a fixed table with a box with only one shirt).”
Reactions Pour In
The video triggered a variety of responses on social media platforms, including X and Threads. While some viewers were impressed by the robot’s potential, others questioned the authenticity of the demonstration.
Skeptics pointed out details in the footage, such as a gloved hand appearing intermittently and mirroring the robot’s movements, suggesting remote operation rather than full autonomy. One user speculated, “It’s just operated remotely, not autonomous. Basically, the exact same way remote surgical ‘robots’ have worked for decades.”
Another user on X quipped, “This is a video, not CG?” hinting at doubts over whether the footage was computer-generated.
Mixed Opinions
Despite skepticism, many expressed excitement about the progress shown in robotics. One admirer commented, “This is fantastic!!! This is not perfect, but way better than I thought was possible already today!” Another added humorously, “Is he available to come do my laundry lol?”
Future Plans for Optimus
While the exact release date and pricing for the Optimus robot remain unknown, Musk has hinted that it could cost less than $20,000. During Tesla’s AI Day in 2022, he suggested that the robot might be ready for delivery within three to five years.
With this bold innovation, Musk continues to fuel discussions about the future of robotics and artificial intelligence. The Tesla Optimus robot may still have a way to go, but its introduction has undeniably stirred excitement and debate about the possibilities of automation in everyday life.