Tesla announces launch of humanoid robots ‘to buy groceries’ by next year

Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk said they will probably launch a “Tesla Bot” humanoid robot prototype next year, designed for dangerous, repetitive, or boring work that people don’t like to do. The robot would be around five foot eight inches tall and be able to handle jobs from attaching bolts to cars with wrench, or picking up groceries at stores, Musk claimed while talking at Tesla’s AI Day event on Thursday.

Musk also indicated the robot would help to overcome staff shortage issues for certain jobs and the importance of making it not as ‘super-expensive.’

Meanwhile scrutinising over the safety and capability of Tesla’s ‘Full Self-Driving’ advanced driver system is growing. Musk didn’t mention any details about the technology but showed confidence of achieving full self-driving with higher safety than humans. It will be with the help of in-car cameras and computers that are under use in Tesla vehicles currently.

A "Tesla Bot" humanoid robot prototype.  Image courtesy of Tesla
Proposed design of Humanoid Robot by Tesla. Source: Tesla

There were wide criticisms after one of Tesla’s driver assistant systems failed and caused an accident in U.S recently.  Two U.S. senators have also called on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Tesla’s claims for its ‘Full Self-Driving’ system.

As part of making the system more reliable, Tesla unveiled their high-speed computer, Dojo, to help develop its automated driving system in the event. Dojo will be operational by next year, Musk confirmed.

Musk also confirmed the introduction of its much-anticipated Cybertruck electric pick-up truck by next year. Earlier it was believed that it would come into markets this year itself.

Even though Tesla have drawn its plans for humanoid robots by next year, many tech scientists still believe such shop-going robots can be practical only after at least 10 years from now on.

Original reporting by: Reuters.

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