Optimus Gen 2 shows off its new finger tip sensors
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Tesla provided a one-minute, 43-second video update on its new humanoid robot. Optimus Gen 2 has come a long way since we originally saw a person dressed up in a white and black spandex costume, and even further since the last update in March.
Enhanced Design and Functionality
The Optimus Gen 2 robot represents a significant evolution from its predecessor. It's 10 kilograms lighter and moves 30% faster. There are moments during the short video where you have to ensure the company hasn’t returned to the spandex-wearing stand-in; it is that good.
A key highlight of Tesla's Optimus Gen 2 is its human-like movement. The robot features new hands and feet equipped with advanced, Tesla-designed sensors and actuators, allowing precise and delicate object manipulation. This upgrade in tactile capability paves the way for the robot's practical application in various tasks.
In a remarkable display, Optimus delicately picks up an egg with those new hands. The video displays the sensors in the fingertips matching where the egg is situated and the force the fingers are using.
Moving beyond functionality, the Optimus Gen 2 also showcases Tesla's flair for design. It had a few body panel upgrades that could be taken straight from a stormtrooper.
In the video, Tesla describes the enhancements that have been made in this second generation of the robot, which include:
There’s no doubt Tesla will use Optimus in its assembly lines, and it’s only a matter of time before Tesla utilizes Optimus to build its own Optimus robots. Although this screams science fiction, it makes sense from an efficiency perspective and the safety of robots and AI are a subject Tesla is taking seriously.
Software and Practical Application: The Real Challenge
Despite its impressive hardware, the real challenge for Tesla lies in the software and practical applications of Optimus Gen 2. The goal is to develop a robot that can reliably and flexibly perform real-world tasks, a challenge that resonates across the field of humanoid robotics.
Tesla's swift progress from announcing its venture into humanoid robotics to unveiling the Optimus Gen 2 is remarkable. This rapid development underscores Tesla's capacity for swift innovation and execution, qualities that have defined the company under Elon Musk's leadership. The Optimus Gen 2 represents a significant contribution to the rapidly evolving field of robotics.
However, Tesla is a leader in artificial intelligence due to its Full Self-driving program, which has changed into neural nets. Version 12 of FSD, now being tested by employees, replaces 300,000 lines of code and allows the system to maneuver the car using its vast neural network. If Tesla can make that work on the road, with hundreds of different variables, it can apply it to robotics where it’ll be used in repetitive situations with fewer variables.
As Tesla continues to refine Optimus, the implications for the company and the broader robotics industry are profound. Musk's vision of Optimus surpassing the value of Tesla's automotive business highlights the anticipated impact of humanoid robots in various sectors. Plus, the robot now dances like Elon, you have to watch until the end of the video to see that display.
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Tesla has changed how they advertise and sell Full Self-Driving on their website. Although the text changes are small, this change could have greater implications in the future.
Previously, customers were offered the option to purchase “Full Self-Driving Capability,” with text saying that FSD will “continuously improve”. This specific text is no longer offered, and instead, customers can now only purchase “Full Self Driving (Supervised),” which no longer mentions continuous improvement.
You can view the old text on the Web Archive page (photo below) for the Model Y. This change comes right before the upcoming Robotaxi event, so we’re not quite sure what to make of it. Let’s look at what else has changed on Tesla’s website on FSD before we dive into the wording changes.
This news comes hot on the heels that Tesla recently pulled its blog pages for Elon Musk’s Masterplan Part II, which mentioned that all future Tesla vehicles would be Robotaxi capable. However, this has since turned out to be part of regular website trimming and maintenance. However, this FSD change is more intentional.
The previous FSD option you could buy from Tesla (left), and the new one (right)
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Definition Changes
These text changes are pretty broad, but that’s not all. There are a few other items that changed, including the removal of the following text:
The activation and use of these features are dependent on achieving reliability far in excess of human drivers as demonstrated by billions of miles of experience, as well as regulatory approval, which may take longer in some jurisdictions. As these self-driving features evolve, your car will be continuously upgraded through over-the-air software updates.
This has now been changed to say:
The activation and use of these features are dependent on development and regulatory approval, which may take longer in some jurisdictions.
That’s a pretty big difference overall, so let’s dig in.
Can Only Buy FSD (Supervised)
Tesla is now only offering the purchase of “Full Self-Driving (Supervised)”, instead of “Full Self-Driving Capability." This has a bit of an implication for the many people who have paid for FSD in the past, expecting their vehicles to become fully autonomous, without supervision being required. With the specific terms on Tesla’s website today, that promise doesn’t seem to be in place for future sales of Full Self-Driving.
Instead, future customers should expect that they may only receive Full Self-Driving (Supervised), which will always require some form of supervision. Tesla no longer states full autonomy on this page, but on the other hand, the Autopilot/FSD Support Page still contains the text for full autonomy.
This seems to be a legal wording change to prevent Tesla from making promises it may not be able to fulfill. On the other hand, Tesla has recently had a fantastic spate of updates this year, with the huge upgrade from FSD V11 to FSD V12. However, they’ve more recently had more trouble with moving on from FSD V12.3.6, which is what most vehicles are still on today. Tesla initially pushed FSD V12.4 and its subversions to early access testers but quickly halted that push. They moved on to FSD V12.5, and V12.5.3 with Actually Smart Summon will begin going out wide sometime next week, to both Hardware 3 and AI4 vehicles.
What Does This Mean for Customers?
For future customers, this likely means that Tesla is intending on only offering Full Self Driving (Supervised), rather than Full Self Driving. This could mean that Tesla will launch a new package for Full Self Driving (Unsupervised) for commercial entities or that it could only be available for Robotaxi vehicles.
For older customers – those who have purchased “Full Self-Driving Capability”, as the feature was previously called, we’re not quite sure whether Tesla will include you in this new ‘Supervised’ description, or if you’ll be offered Full Self-Driving (Unsupervised) when that ultimately becomes available. As for subscribers, Tesla can change their offerings at any point since you’re only paying for what’s available for that month.
Today, we’re not quite sure what to make of this change, especially since that same change hasn’t been reciprocated elsewhere on Tesla’s website. The changes could be anywhere from a protective legal change, to Tesla offering a new FSD (Unsupervised) package in the future, or fully autonomous FSD being something that Tesla will not commit a date or price to.
In Tesla’s upcoming update, 2024.32.3, Tesla has added hands-free support for opening the vehicle’s frunk. This follows the Spring Update (2024.14), which added Hands-Free Trunk support for certain vehicles.
When hands-free trunk support was added earlier this year, it was supported on vehicles that include an ultra wideband chip, which includes the refresh Model S, new Model X, and the 2024 Model 3. Due to the hardware requirement, these will be the same vehicles that support the new Hands-Free Frunk feature. Legacy vehicles without UWB will unfortunately not support either feature due to the hardware requirement. UWB enables far more accurate tracking of the phone key, allowing Tesla to pinpoint its exact location relative to the vehicle.
The Cybertruck interestingly also includes an ultra wideband chip, however, it didn’t include the automatic opening of the gate earlier this year. However, we expect the Cybertruck to also receive the hands-free frunk opening in this 2024.32.3 update or relatively soon afterward.
Update: The Cybertruck is receiving hands-free frunk support in the 2024.32 update as well.
Hands-Free Frunk
The Hands-Free Frunk works similarly to the trunk feature – with an iPhone 11+ and a recent version of the app, you’ll be able to stand in front of your vehicle, and the Frunk will unlatch after sounding a chime. On some vehicles, the frunk will immediately open after being unlatched, however, you’ll need to manually close it.
This new feature isn’t enabled by default – you’ll need to go to Settings > Locks > Hands-Free Frunk to enable it.
At this time, Tesla doesn’t support UWB on Android devices, though both the Hands-Free Trunk and Hands-Free Frunk support will come to Android users in a future app update, according to Tesla.
Exclude Home
With the addition of the hands-free frunk opening, Tesla has also added a new option. You can now choose to disable the automatic opening when your vehicle is located at home to prevent you from accidentally opening. This will apply to the automatic frunk and trunk. In addition, in the Model X, you’ll also be able to disable the self-presenting doors at home. This is a great addition as many people have kept the hands-free feature disabled due to it awkwardly opening in the garage.
In the 2024.32.3 update, Tesla also mentions that they’ve improved the detection of the phone key, which should make the feature more reliable and faster when approaching the vehicle from the front or rear.
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