Tesla Optimus Bot: Video to prove embodied intelligence
Tesla's Optimus Bot has fallen behind Chinese humanoids in terms of embodied intelligence. But a video shows progress.
The Optimus Bot from Tesla dancing.
(Image: Tesla (Screenshot))
Tesla has published a dance video on X that is supposed to demonstrate the progress of the embodied intelligence of the humanoid robot Optimus Bot. But if you take a closer look, you will see that the robot cannot hold a candle to humanoid robots from China, such as those from Unitree, in terms of movement technology. Chinese robots are still further ahead in terms of embodied intelligence.
In recent months, Tesla has gone to great lengths to teach its Optimus Bot smoother full-body movements. Tesla uses simulations of the Optimus Bot to teach it new movements virtually. This is done in the traditional way via reinforcement learning (RL), which rewards moves that work during training, but not others. The simulation-to-real training code is also corrected and optimized. As a result, the robot learns to move better and better, i.e. more human-like.
Training at Unitree
Unitree, with its humanoid robots H1(-2) and G1, uses movement data from real people recorded using LAFAN1 motion capture technology. The resulting training data set also contains a "redirection algorithm" that combines interactive mesh and inverse kinematics technology. This means that the movements are executed taking into account the end position restrictions of the robot actuators. This also includes the joint positions and speed limits of the actuators.
This system appears to work more effectively than Tesla's system. At least that's what videos from Unitree show, in which the G1 robot dances and demonstrates its agile capabilities. Both Unitree robots can perform lifelike movements. However, a previously announced highlight of the demonstration of physical intelligence by Unitree's robots, the "Iron Fist" event, has yet to take place: The company had announced in April that it would have two humanoid Unitree G1s boxing live against each other. So far, Unitree has only published a training video.
Videos by heise
Tesla now faces the task of catching up with Unitree in terms of embodied intelligence.
(olb)
