Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled the latest version of the company’s Optimus humanoid robot at the “We, Robot” event in California on Thursday, showcasing its ability to serve drinks and sing “Happy Birthday” to attendees. Videos of the robot’s performances quickly went viral on social media platforms.
During the event, multiple Optimus robots were seen walking around, interacting with guests, and performing various tasks.In one widely shared video, an Optimus robot carefully poured and served a drink before posing for photos with attendees. Another clip captured the robot singing “Happy Birthday” in a robotic voice, demonstrating its capacity for basic verbal interaction.
“The Optimus will walk among you. You’ll be able to walk right up to them, and they will serve drinks,” Musk told the audience. He outlined a vision where these robots could perform a wide range of household chores, including dog-walking, babysitting, and lawn-mowing.
Musk projected that Optimus could be priced between $20,000 to $30,000, making it potentially accessible to a broad consumer market. “I think everyone among the 8 billion people on Earth will want an Optimus buddy,” he claimed, highlighting the robot’s potential for widespread adoption.
The event also featured demonstrations of Optimus performing other tasks such as watering plants and picking up packages. Musk emphasised the robot’s versatility, stating, “Whatever you can think of, it will do.”
In addition to the Optimus demonstrations, Tesla unveiled plans for an autonomous “robotaxi” expected to launch by 2027. This fully AI-driven vehicle will not have a steering wheel or pedals. Musk asserted it would be “10 to 20 times safer” than human-driven cars and priced under $30,000.