Tesla’s Optimus Robot: Human-Like Speech or Human-Controlled?

Oct 17, 2024

Tesla’s unveiling of the second-generation Optimus robot last week drew plenty of buzz, but the reality behind its capabilities is still up for debate. While the latest model is certainly an upgrade over its 2021 predecessor, there’s still a gap between the vision Tesla is selling and what’s fully autonomous.

The first-gen Optimus had its moment in the spotlight back in 2021. It was a slower, more rigid machine—less capable of fluid movement and performing tasks autonomously. Though impressive at the time, it was clear this initial prototype was very much in the experimental stage. Fast forward to 2024, and the Optimus at the recent "We, Robot" event showed noticeable improvements in mobility, with smoother, albeit sometimes shaky, movements as it mingled with attendees, served drinks, danced, and interacted in ways the first version couldn’t quite manage.

But here's where things get interesting. While Tesla’s demo showcased some exciting upgrades, it quickly became apparent that the robot’s seemingly advanced speech was less AI-driven than expected. Videos from the event revealed that human operators were behind much of the robot’s dialogue, with Optimus mimicking natural human speech patterns—complete with hesitations and even stuttering. The speech was eerily human-like, so much so that tech expert Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) noted how it felt more like someone was speaking through the robot, as if it were a high-tech ventriloquist's dummy rather than a truly independent machine. This led to some questions about how much of the robot’s AI has truly advanced since the first version.

What makes this comparison between the two models compelling is not just how much Optimus has physically improved but also how Tesla is presenting the robot’s potential. With the first-gen, there were no illusions about its reliance on human oversight. But with this latest iteration, there’s a fine line being walked between what’s currently possible and what’s still aspirational. The 2024 Optimus can walk on its own, but for tasks that require speech or nuanced interaction, it’s still leaning on humans to step in when the AI falls short.

Attendee Robert Scoble, a former Microsoft strategist, shared that he had learned humans were “remote assisting” the robots, later clarifying that an engineer told him the robots used AI to walk and Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas also noted that the robots “relied on tele-ops (human intervention),” according to the outlet. When Musk first introduced Tesla’s humanoid robot, it was humorously staged with someone in a robot suit, so it's not surprising that the Optimus models at last week’s event were exaggerated in their presentation. Another robot—or perhaps the human voicing it—told an attendee in a somewhat robotic voice, “Today, I am assisted by a human,” acknowledging that it wasn't fully autonomous (even stumbling on the word “autonomous”). It didn’t seem like Tesla was trying to mislead anyone into thinking the Optimus robots were entirely self-sufficient. In a separate video highlighted by Jalopnik Scoble, an Optimus jokingly responded to Scoble’s question about how much it was controlled by AI, saying “it might be some.”

Despite the limitations, Tesla’s vision for Optimus remains bold. Musk has hinted that the future holds fully autonomous, affordable robots that will revolutionise both domestic and industrial tasks. The Optimus is expected to start shipping in 2025 for a few select companies, and available for other companies in 2026. Tesla announced that the robot will have a starting price of $30,000 (approximately R530 000). For now, though, the reality is that the robot still has a way to go before it can live up to these ambitions. In that sense, Optimus 2.0 is a significant leap forward but still a work in progress.