The second generation of Tesla humanoid robots has arrived.
Today, Tesla released a video of the Optimus Gen 2 (second generation Optimus Prime) without any prior notice - and it has been less than three months since the release of the first generation Optimus's "embodied intelligence end-to-end solution debut" video; It has only been nine months since the first generation Optimus was launched.
According to the video, the second-generation Optimus is equipped with actuators and sensors designed by Tesla, a 2-degree-of-freedom neck drive, a faster responsive 11 degree of freedom dexterous hand, tactile sensors (ten fingers), integrated electronics and wiring harnesses for actuators, foot force/torque sensors, articulated toes, and more.
Not only that, the second-generation Optimus has significantly improved multiple performance features: increased walking speed by 30%, reduced weight by 10kg, and improved balance and full body control.
In the first generation Optimus video, Tesla's focus was mostly on visual, sorting, single balancing, and other capabilities. The latest second generation Optimus debut video seems to focus more on motion and control - walking, balance, fine handling, and perception.
In this video, Tesla takes a close-up of their feet while walking on Optimus. From the video, it can be seen that unlike the traditional one piece sole, the second generation Optimus has two parts on the sole, making the walking posture closer to that of a human.
Figure | Second generation Optimus
Figure | First generation Optimus
More notably, due to the fact that all ten fingers are equipped with finger tactile sensors, the second-generation Optimus can now pick up eggs with two fingers.
It can be seen that with the iterative upgrade of software and hardware, the flexibility of the second-generation Optimus has greatly increased. On November 20th, a report from Open Source Securities pointed out that the iteration of Tesla's humanoid robot prototype is about to move from "functional implementation" (B-sample) to "mass production implementation" (C-sample).
Tesla did not disclose the specific method of weight reduction for the second-generation Optimus this time, only stating that "there is no sacrifice in functionality/performance" for weight reduction. Kaiyuan Securities believes that humanoid robots carry limited power and require the use of lightweight materials to reduce weight and increase endurance. The use of lightweight materials can improve the load and flexibility of robots, assisting in the high-end advancement of humanoid robots; PEEK is a high-end engineering plastic with a specific strength about 8 times that of aluminum alloy, making it an excellent lightweight solution.
In addition, humanoid robots need to enter homes, interact safely with humans, and skillfully operate various objects. Tactile perception is the foundation, and the second-generation Optimus has also made significant progress in this regard.
Another report from Open Source Securities suggests that flexible tactile sensors (also known as "electronic skin") can detect characteristics such as contact force, temperature, humidity, vibration, material, softness, and hardness with the environment. They are important sensors for robots to directly perceive the effects of the environment and help intelligent humanoid robots achieve industrialization. Material technology and processing technology are the key technologies of flexible tactile sensors.
Overall, with Tesla, Xiaopeng, and others successively laying out humanoid robots, the entire industry is moving from 0 to 1.
In terms of specific industrial chain links, Southwest Securities recommended in its December 10th report to focus on hardware core links: 1) Lead screws with high value: Best, Wuzhou New Spring, Dingzhi Technology, and Qinchuan Machine Tool; 2) Core components reducer: Green harmonic, double ring transmission, Zhongli Dade; 3) Core components: frameless torque motor and hollow cup motor: Huichuan Technology, Hechuan Technology, and Buke Co., Ltd; 4) Robot body: Boshi Co., Ltd.
In addition, in terms of PEEK materials, Zhongyan Group has a production capacity of over 1000 tons of PEEK and is collaborating with Donghua University to develop CF/PEEK;
In terms of flexible tactile sensors, Hanwei Technology's flexible micro nano sensor products have been applied in the field of medical devices, and it has cooperated with Xiaomi Technology, No.9 Technology, Shenzhen Keyi Robotics, and others in the field of intelligent robots; Suzhou Experimental is developing a flexible stress vibration sensor based on graphene; Hongxin Electronics subsidiary Ruihu Technology has a layout in the field of flexible pressure sensors.