Optimus Gen 2 is the second generation of Tesla's bipedal humanoid, revealed in a video on December 12, 2023. It was a research prototype not intended for sale, a step toward a general-purpose robot for unsafe, repetitive or boring work.
History and launch
Tesla announced the project as Tesla Bot at AI Day in August 2021, describing a 173 cm robot able to carry 20 kg. Working prototypes appeared at AI Day in September 2022: one walked across the stage, another could only move its arms.
Gen 2 debuted in a December 12, 2023 video showing it walking, squatting, waving and picking up an egg without cracking it. Milan Kovac, then head of the program, said the footage was real-time with no CGI.
Design and hardware
Tesla listed in-house actuators and sensors, electronics and harnessing integrated into the actuators, and a 2-DoF actuated neck. The feet have force/torque sensing, articulated toe sections and human-like geometry.
The robot is 10 kg lighter than its predecessor and walks 30% faster. Each hand has 11 degrees of freedom, moves faster than before, and all fingers have tactile sensing. Tesla did not publish a full spec sheet for Gen 2 (height, total weight, payload or runtime).
For reference, the 2022 prototype used 28 body actuators and a 2.3 kWh chest battery that Tesla said should last a working day.
Software and AI
Tesla has said Optimus shares the AI foundation of its driver-assistance systems. A September 2023 video showed it sorting colored blocks with an end-to-end neural network.
Later demos, including a shirt-folding clip in early 2024 and the October 2024 We, Robot event, drew criticism because some actions were teleoperated by humans.
Deployments
Gen 2 was not commercially deployed. In May 2024 Tesla showed Optimus doing simple jobs in its own factory, and Elon Musk talked about limited production in 2025 for internal use and outside sales in 2026.
In April 2026 Tesla told investors it was installing first-generation production lines in Fremont designed for one million robots a year, and that Optimus Gen 3 would be unveiled closer to the start of production.
Company
Optimus is developed by Tesla Inc., headquartered in Austin, Texas. In June 2025 Milan Kovac, who had led the program since 2022, left the company; Autopilot chief Ashok Elluswamy took over.
Price and availability
Gen 2 was never sold. Musk has floated a future price of roughly $20,000 to $30,000 (around $30,000 in 2024), but there is no official price list.
Timeline
- 2021-08 Tesla Bot announced at AI Day
- 2022-09 First working prototypes at AI Day 2022
- 2023-09 Block-sorting video
- 2023-12 Optimus Gen 2 revealed
- 2024-05 Video of factory tasks at Tesla
- 2024-10 Shown at the We, Robot event
- 2025-06 Program head Milan Kovac leaves
- 2026-04 Tesla says Fremont production lines are being installed
Sources
- Tesla releases latest humanoid robot, Optimus Gen 2, ASSEMBLY Magazine (2023-12-14)
- Tesla's latest Optimus robot can handle an egg without breaking it, Engadget (2023-12-13)
- Optimus (robot), Wikipedia (2026-09)
- Everything we know about Optimus, the Tesla Robot, Not a Tesla App (2022-10)
Updated: 2026-10-10
Verification and limitations
This entry requires an up-to-date manufacturer specification check.
MERA field measurement report: not published. Demonstration footage and manufacturer specifications are not a MERA test under event conditions.
Data and provenance for AI agents ↗Compared with the catalogue
- At 173 cm the Tesla Optimus Gen 2 is taller than 60% of the humanoids in the catalogue (median: 170 cm).
- It has 22 degrees of freedom against a catalogue median of 28; more degrees of freedom usually means finer arm and hand movement.
- Its weight of 73 kg (catalogue median: 65 kg) matters for transport and for working around people.
- It is one of 4 Tesla models in the catalogue and one of 43 humanoids from USA.
Capabilities
Frequently asked questions
What changed from Optimus Gen 1 to Gen 2?
10 kg less weight, 30% faster walking, a 2-DoF neck, force/torque sensing feet, and faster 11-DoF hands with tactile sensing on every finger.
Can you buy Optimus Gen 2?
No. Tesla presented it as a prototype not designed for production or sale.
How much will Optimus cost?
There is no official price; Musk has talked about $20,000 to $30,000 for a future production version.
Were the Optimus demos teleoperated?
Tesla said the Gen 2 video was real-time with no CGI. At later events such as We, Robot some actions were remotely controlled.
How many degrees of freedom does the Gen 2 hand have?
11 per hand. The 22-DoF hand was shown as a next-generation design in late 2024.
How much does the Tesla Optimus Gen 2 cost?
The manufacturer has not published a price for the Tesla Optimus Gen 2. You can send a purchase enquiry through MERA Robotics.
Is the Tesla Optimus Gen 2 available to buy?
Status: Research: a research platform for labs and universities.
How tall and heavy is the Tesla Optimus Gen 2?
Height: 173 cm, weight: 73 kg, degrees of freedom: 22.
How do I buy the Tesla Optimus Gen 2 through MERA Robotics?
Click “I want to buy” or fill in the form on this page. MERA Robotics will reply whether and on what terms the model is available and can help deploy it with the MERA OS conversation system.
Data: Tesla. Specs from the manufacturer; they may change, always confirm with the manufacturer before buying.
