Tesla has posted an update to its Optimus program on X, and it is extremely impressive. Over the course of a short video, Tesla showcased the Gen 2 Optimus prototype, which features an updated design, almost humanlike hand movements, and a lighter weight compared to its previous iterations.
In its short demonstration, the Gen 2 Optimus robot could be seen moving its neck and arms like a human being. Tesla noted that the robot features custom-designed actuators and sensors, as well as a 2-DoF actuated neck. The robot features a 30% walking speed boost from its previous iteration, and it is also 10 kg lighter.
There’s a new bot in town ?
Check this out (until the very end)!https://t.co/duFdhwNe3K pic.twitter.com/8pbhwW0WNc— Tesla Optimus (@Tesla_Optimus) December 13, 2023
It also boasts better balance and control, and it is equipped with faster, 11-DoF hands with tactile sensing on all fingers. Tesla demonstrated the Gen 2 Optimus robot’s hand control by having the robot handle an egg in the video. Tesla ended its video with a couple of Gen 2 Optimus robots dancing to some music — quite impressively, all things considered.
Everything in this video is real, no CGI. All real time, nothing sped up. Incredible hardware improvements from the team. https://t.co/y5QNYaZy0M— Julian Ibarz (@julianibarz) December 13, 2023
So smooth were the movements of Gen 2 Optimus in its demonstration that members of the Tesla Bot team have taken to social media to clarify that the footage is real and not CGI. The Tesla Bot team members also highlighted that the robots’ movements in the video were recorded in real-time, not sped up.
Excited to share our latest bot ! Amazing new platform to build the future of humanoid robotics upon. Very proud of the teams who've all been hard at work to get this to happen 🙂
This new generation, which is in effect the 3rd since we started the program less than 2 years ago,… https://t.co/k2kGFsXUuu— Milan Kovac (@_milankovac_) December 13, 2023
The capabilities of the Gen 2 Optimus robot are very impressive, especially considering the fact that Tesla’s humanoid robot program is just over two years old now. Tesla announced its intentions to build a humanoid robot at its first AI Day event in August 2021, and at the time, all the company had was a static model and a man in a robot suit dancing onstage.
Multiple fully Tesla-made Bots now walking around & learning about the real world ?
Join the Tesla AI team → https://t.co/dBhQqg1qya pic.twitter.com/3TZ2znxkfd— Tesla Optimus (@Tesla_Optimus) May 16, 2023
To be fair, the rapid progress of Tesla’s Optimus program was already evident since AI Day 2.0., which was held in September 2022. At the time, Tesla was able to show a development prototype called “Bumblebee,” which was built with off-the-shelf parts, walking on its own without human assistance. The company also revealed a more advanced Optimus robot that’s equipped with Tesla-designed actuators and sensors.
Optimus can now sort objects autonomously ?
Its neural network is trained fully end-to-end: video in, controls out.
Come join to help develop Optimus (& improve its yoga routine ?)
→ https://t.co/dBhQqg1qya pic.twitter.com/1Lrh0dru2r— Tesla Optimus (@Tesla_Optimus) September 23, 2023
The more advanced Optimus prototype, named “Gen 1 Optimus” in Tesla’s recent video announcement, featured smoother movements than “Bumblebee,” but it could not stand on its own feet yet. By May 2023, however, Tesla posted a video on X showing the Gen 1 Optimus walking on its own, and on September 2023, the robot was sorting objects by color. It could even do some yoga moves that required quite a bit of balance.
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Elon Musk
Elon Musk estimates Tesla Semi could reach Europe next year
“We’ve got the Tesla Semi coming out, the heavy truck, and that’ll be going to Europe hopefully next year,” Musk said.
Tesla is preparing to expand its all-electric Semi truck program to Europe, with CEO Elon Musk indicating that the Class 8 vehicle could arrive in the region 2027.
Musk shared his update during an interview about Giga Berlin with plant manager André Thierig, which was posted on X by the official Tesla Manufacturing account.
“We’ve got the Tesla Semi coming out, the heavy truck, and that’ll be going to Europe hopefully next year,” he said.
Tesla has already begun limited production and customer deployments of the Tesla Semi in the United States, with the company working to scale output through the Semi factory near Giga Nevada. Considering Musk’s comments, it appears that a European rollout would be the next phase of the vehicle’s expansion beyond North America.
Musk’s use of the word “hopefully” leaves room for flexibility, but the remark signals that Europe is next in Tesla’s commercial expansion plans.
Musk has consistently argued that electrification should extend beyond passenger vehicles. During the same interview, he reiterated his view that “all ground transport should be electric,” adding that ships, and eventually aircraft, would follow.
The Semi plays a central role in that strategy. Heavy-duty freight remains one of the most emissions-intensive segments of road transport, and European regulators have increasingly pushed for lower-emission commercial fleets.
Tesla recently refreshed the Semi lineup on its official website, listing two variants: Standard and Long Range. The Standard trim offers up to 325 miles of range with an energy consumption rating of 1.7 kWh per mile, while the Long Range version provides up to 500 miles, which should be more than ample for European routes.
Elon Musk
Tesla Cybercab coming next to Giga Berlin, Optimus possibly after
“From a next major product standpoint, I think most likely is the Tesla Cybercab,” Musk said.
Tesla could add the Cybercab and Optimus humanoid robot to the production lineup at Giga Berlin, as per recent comments from CEO Elon Musk.
During a recent interview with Giga Berlin plant manager André Thierig, Musk identified the Cybercab as the most likely next major product for the German factory, with Optimus potentially following after.
“From a next major product standpoint, I think most likely is the Tesla Cybercab,” Musk said. He added that there are also “possibilities of Tesla Optimus” being produced in the facility.
Tesla has already begun production of the Cybercab in Giga Texas, with volume production expected to ramp this year. Based on Musk’s comments, it appears that if conditions align in Europe, Giga Berlin could eventually join that effort.
The CEO’s comments about Optimus coming to Gigafactory Berlin are quite unsurprising too considering that Musk has mentioned in the past that the humanoid robot will likely be Tesla’s highest volume product in the long run.
Giga Berlin will likely be able to produce mass volumes of Optimus, as the Model S and Model X lines being converted to an Optimus line in the Fremont Factory are already expected to produce 1 million units of the humanoid robot annually.
Apart from his comments about the Cybercab and Optimus, Elon Musk also confirmed that Giga Berlin has started ramping battery cell production and will continue expanding Model Y output, particularly as supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) gains regulatory approvals in Europe.
Taken together, the remarks suggest Berlin’s role could evolve beyond vehicle assembly into a broader multi-product manufacturing hub, not just a regional Model Y plant.
Energy
Tesla Powerwall distribution expands in Australia
Inventory is expected to arrive in late February and official sales are expected to start mid-March 2026.
Supply Partners Group has secured a distribution agreement for the Tesla Powerwall in Australia, with inventory expected to arrive in late February and official sales beginning in mid-March 2026.
Under the new agreement, Supply Partners will distribute Tesla Powerwall units and related accessories across its national footprint, as noted in an ecogeneration report. The company said the addition strengthens its position as a distributor focused on premium, established brands.
“We are proud to officially welcome Tesla Powerwall into the Supply Partners portfolio,” Lliam Ricketts, Co-Founder and Director of Innovation at Supply Partners Group, stated.
“Tesla sets a high bar, and we’ve worked hard to earn the opportunity to represent a brand that customers actively ask for. This partnership reflects the strength of our logistics, technical services and customer experience, and it’s a win for installers who want premium options they can trust.”
Supply Partners noted that initial Tesla Powerwall stock will be warehoused locally before full commercial rollout in March. The distributor stated that the timing aligns with renewed growth momentum for the Powerwall, supported by competitive installer pricing, consumer rebates, and continued product and software updates.
“Powerwall is already a category-defining product, and what’s ahead makes it even more compelling,” Ricketts stated. “As pricing sharpens and capability expands, we see a clear runway for installers to confidently spec Powerwall for premium residential installs, backed by Supply Partners’ national distribution footprint and service model.”
Supply Partners noted that a joint go-to-market launch is planned, including Tesla-led training for its sales and technical teams to support installers during the home battery system’s domestic rollout.