Tesla shows its humanoid robot Optimus at China AI conference, but behind glass

Although humanoid robots have started to be used in China in a variety of applications, they are still in the lab research stage, according to manufacturers

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Eighteen humanoid robots from various brands on display during the 2024 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai on Thursday. Photo: Che Pan

Che Panin shanghai

Published: 10:00am, 5 Jul 2024

Tesla showcased its humanoid robot, the second-generation Optimus, at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai on Thursday, making it one of the few American AI products seen at China’s top AI show.

The Optimus humanoid robot, equipped with Tesla’s self-developed neural network and computer vision technology, is largely seen as the future of robots as it is able to handle multiple tasks.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said at the company’s annual shareholder’s meeting that the humanoid robot, which has yet to enter full-scale production, could lift Tesla’s market cap to US$25 trillion in the future.

The single Optimus shown at the Shanghai event attracted a lot of attention, even though it was behind glass, and did not move or interact with visitors. Tesla, meanwhile, promoted the humanoid robot on Chinese social media Weibo, asking the public to “witness the further evolution of humanoid robots”.

A number of Chinese robotic companies brought their products to the show, as alternatives to Optimus. Local exhibitors, including Shanghai-based Fourier, Tlibot, Dataa Robotics, Robotera, Leju Robot, Shanghai Kepler Robot and Ti5 Robot, took to the centre stage to display their humanoid robots for visitors.

Tesla’s humanoid robot Optimus. Photo: Che Pan

A total of 18 robots, including “Healthy Loong” developed by Humanoid Robots (Shanghai), were presented at the event.