Elon Musk’s Inspiration Behind Tesla’s Optimus: Insights from Boston Dynamics’ Founder

Elon Musk may have found inspiration in Boston Dynamics' humanoid robot, according to the company's founder.

Marc Raibert's Observation

Boston Dynamics introduced Atlas back in 2013. Recently, Marc Raibert suggested that Musk's vision for Tesla's Optimus could have been influenced by the advancements in the robot Atlas.

Inspiration from Boston Dynamics

Raibert mentioned in a podcast hosted by Lex Fridman that Musk's interest in humanoid robotics might have stemmed from Boston Dynamics. The company is known for its futuristic robot dogs reminiscent of the ones seen in "Black Mirror."

Musk's Ambitions and Atlas

Raibert elaborated on Musk's aspirations in the robotics industry, noting that the progress of Boston Dynamics' bipedal robot, Atlas, could have sparked Musk's ambitions. He humorously expressed a desire to organize robot meetups between Atlas and Tesla's Optimus.

Optimus and Tesla's Future

Tesla unveiled Optimus during its AI day in September 2022. Musk mentioned plans to potentially ship some units of Optimus as early as the following year. The robot showcased capabilities like squatting, picking up objects, and even folding laundry, although Musk clarified that the latter function was still in development.

Evolution of Atlas

Since its debut in 2013, Atlas has significantly evolved. Initially showcased navigating rough terrain and maintaining balance, the five-foot-tall robot can now move at speeds of 2.5 meters per second, jump, throw objects, and run.

Boston Dynamics' Innovations

In addition to Atlas, Boston Dynamics introduced Spot, a four-legged robot dog, in 2020. Notably, artists trained three of these robot dogs to paint, leading to their own exhibition. The company was later acquired by South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Company in a deal that valued Boston Dynamics at $1.1 billion.

Despite these advancements, both Boston Dynamics and Tesla declined to comment on the matter when contacted by Business Insider outside normal working hours.

—————————————————————————————————————————————
By: jmann@insider.com (Jyoti Mann)
Title: Elon Musk’s Inspiration Behind Tesla’s Optimus: Insights from Boston Dynamics’ Founder
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-tesla-inspired-by-boston-dynamics-humanoid-robot-atlas-2024-2
Published Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2024 13:06:55 +0000