A video of Tesla‘s humanoid robot, Optimus, trying to walk on slopes has gone viral, provoking a mix of laughter and wonder on social media. The movement of the robot, while unsteady, somehow reminds us of a tipsy man walking on uneven ground; it is amusing and raises several questions about the future of robotics.
Robot‘s Journey: The Art of Walking
A video, posted on Tesla Motors‘ official Instagram page, captures Optimus stumbling and swaying as it tries to learn to balance on inclined terrain. Several near-falls were not enough to stop the robot from recovering and continuing its uphill journey. The robot demonstrates its adaptability in the most challenging conditions. “To walk like a human, you must first learn to stumble like a human,” reads the caption in a very light-hearted manner.
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Social Media Reacts: Laughter and Concern
This clip did stir up a storm of reactions. Many users deemed the robot‘s gait hilariously relatable: there was “Me coming home drunk at 4 AM“ and “He‘s not passing a sobriety test“. However, others viewed itwith unease, assuming such advancements in robotics might createunwanted consequences.
The day will come when this won‘t be funny,” one user warned. “Robots don‘t need to mimic humans; they should prioritise efficiency,” another noted.
What is Optimus?
Optimus is the ambitious project by Tesla to create a bi-pedal humanoid robot that will be able to perform routine, repetitive, or hazardous tasks. For Tesla, this means creating software that allows balance, navigation, perception, and physical interaction. Optimus is supposed to be the game-changer in automating labor-intensive activities.
Humour or Harbinger of Change?
While the video has seen humour, it also serves to illustrate the advancements as well as the setbacks during the development of humanoid robots. For now, people laugh at Optimus for stumbling, but its history is a significant step that defines how robots can benefit manin his daily operations.
