Dec 13, 2023 2:30 PM EST Optimus' new hands include tactile sensing capabilities in all its fingers. X / Tesla Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Email address Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The last time Elon Musk publicly debuted a prototype of his humanoid robot, Optimus could “raise the roof” and wave at the politely enthused crowd attending Tesla’s October 2022 AI Day celebration. While not as advanced, agile, handy, or otherwise useful as existing bipedal robots, the “Bumblebee” proof-of-concept certainly improved upon the company’s first iteration—a person dressed as a robot. On Wednesday night, Musk surprised everyone with a two-minute highlight reel posted to his social media platform, X, showcasing “Optimus Gen 2,” the latest iteration on display. In a major step forward, the now sleekly-encased robot can walk and handle an egg without breaking it. (Musk has previously stated he intends Optimus to be able to pick up and transport objects as heavy as 45 pounds.) Unlike last year’s Bumblebee demo, Tesla’s December 12 update only shows pre-taped, in-house footage of Gen 2 performing squats and stiffly striding across a Tesla showroom floor. That said, the new preview claims the third Optimus can accomplish such perambulations 30 percent quicker than before (an exact speed isn’t provided in the video) while weighing roughly 22 lbs less than Bumblebee. It also now includes “articulated foot sections” within its “human foot geometry.” The main focus, however, appears to be the robot’s “faster… brand-new” five-fingered hands capable of registering and interpreting tactile sensations. To demonstrate, Optimus picks up an egg, transfers it between hands, and places it back down while a superimposed screen displays its finger pressure readings.