Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, has taken a major step forward in its development, according to a recent update shared by Elon Musk. A newly released video shows Optimus learning to perform various tasks simply by watching humans do them, much like how people learn from watching tutorial videos on platforms like YouTube. This new approach signifies a dramatic shift from traditional robotic training methods, which typically rely on painstakingly detailed programming for every specific action. Instead, Optimus now seems capable of learning by example, making it more like a human trainee than a pre-programmed machine.
This learning style is particularly exciting because it mirrors natural human behavior. Musk explained that the long-term vision is to have Optimus study real-world videos—including publicly available ones—and then use what it sees to perform similar tasks independently. This includes everyday activities such as cleaning, organizing items, or preparing food. According to Milan Kovac, the engineering lead at Tesla, this innovation has already enabled Optimus to perform a range of household and industrial tasks, including vacuuming floors, sorting objects, stirring ingredients, and even taking out the garbage.
The most groundbreaking aspect of this new development is that Optimus no longer needs line-by-line instructions coded into its system. Instead, the robot can observe human behavior, interpret it, and then mimic the task with remarkable autonomy. Commands can be given through simple voice prompts or text instructions, and the robot’s ability to generalize from what it sees gives it what Musk describes as “task extensibility.” This means that Optimus could potentially learn an unlimited range of tasks, as long as it has access to a video or demonstration that shows how it’s done.
Tesla has already showcased several short video clips demonstrating Optimus in action. These include sequences where the robot is seen performing practical chores like cleaning, assembling items, and even dancing. While these clips have captured public interest, they have also been met with skepticism. Some critics argue that earlier demonstrations appeared staged or partially controlled by humans behind the scenes, rather than representing fully autonomous behavior by the robot.
Despite the criticism, Elon Musk remains optimistic and confident that this form of video-based imitation learning is a transformative milestone in AI and robotics. He has gone so far as to claim that Optimus could become “the biggest product of all time,” even surpassing the value of Tesla’s electric vehicle business. He anticipates that large-scale production of Optimus could begin soon, with the robot potentially being deployed in Tesla’s own factories by late 2025, or possibly earlier if development continues at its current pace.
Looking ahead, the implications of this technology are significant. Instead of relying on programmers to manually code every motion or behavior, future developers may only need to provide video-based demonstrations, such as how-to guides for folding clothes or cooking a meal, which the robot could then observe, replicate, and refine. In theory, this would enable robots like Optimus to learn, adapt, and improve just like humans do — through observation, imitation, and experience.
However, it’s important to temper this excitement with a degree of realism. Experts in the robotics field have pointed out that, while promising, Optimus still lags behind competitors like Boston Dynamics in terms of physical agility, especially when it comes to walking smoothly or manipulating small objects with precision. Although Tesla’s vision is ambitious and inspiring, there remains a considerable gap between current capabilities and the goal of building a truly general-purpose humanoid robot that can operate seamlessly in complex real-world environments such as homes, offices, or factories.
