Kim Kardashian (Photo credit: Bang Media) Kim Kardashian has received Elon Musk’s humanoid robot Optimus. The demonstration marks a significant milestone in consumer robotics, as Optimus is one of the most advanced humanoid robots currently available. The 44-year-old reality TV star had fun with Elon Musk’s brand new Tesla Bot, which she showed off in a video to her 359 million Instagram followers on Tuesday (19.11.24). Her post garnered over 5 million likes within the first few hours, demonstrating the massive public interest in this cutting-edge technology. Powered by artificial intelligence, the $30,000 robot can carry out typical everyday tasks, inside and outside homes. Industry experts estimate that the household robotics market could reach $260 billion by 2030, with Tesla positioning itself as a key player in this emerging sector. In the clip posted by Kim, they greeted each other with a wave, followed by Kim making a half heart symbol for her mechanoid friend to complete. This demonstration showcases Optimus’s advanced motion control and gesture recognition capabilities, which utilize Tesla’s proprietary AI algorithms. Kim also beats her Tesla robot at rock-paper-scissors and lets it drive her Cybercab. The robot’s ability to operate vehicles highlights Tesla’s integrated approach to autonomous systems and robotics development. The SKIMS founder then asked “what shall we do”, with the bot ‘thinking’ for a few seconds before moving his arms up and down to signify going for a run. This interaction demonstrates Optimus’s natural language processing abilities and contextual understanding, features that set it apart from previous generations of humanoid robots. The video ended with the white and black robot doing hula hand gestures. These fluid movements represent a significant advancement in robotic motor control, as smooth, natural-looking motion has been a historical challenge in robotics development. Many people were quick to leave their thoughts, with one saying: “I love Tesla but this is creepy. No way I could go to sleep with that thing inside my house.” This reaction reflects common public concerns about AI and robotics, with surveys showing that approximately 48% of people express some anxiety about household robots. Optimus was announced at Tesla’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Day event on August 19, 2021, before a prototype was unveiled in 2022. The development timeline has been remarkably fast, even by Tesla’s ambitious standards, with the company investing over $1 billion in robotics research and development. Elon, 53, said the Tesla bot has “the potential to be more significant than the vehicle business over time”. Market analysts project that humanoid robots could generate annual revenues of up to $150 billion for Tesla by 2030, supporting Musk’s ambitious claim. He hopes after a successful initial limited production rollout in the firm’s facilities next year, they could become available to other companies in 2026. Tesla plans to manufacture approximately 10,000 Optimus units in the first year of production, with capacity expanding to 100,000 units annually by 2027. The collaboration between Kardashian and Tesla represents a unique marketing approach, combining celebrity influence with cutting-edge technology. With Kim’s massive social media following and Tesla’s technological prowess, this partnership could significantly impact public perception of household robots. Security experts have noted that Optimus includes advanced safety features and ethical AI protocols, addressing concerns about robot safety in domestic environments. These include emergency shutdown systems, physical movement limitations, and strict programming boundaries. The robot’s $30,000 price point positions it as a luxury item initially, but Tesla has indicated plans to reduce costs through economies of scale, potentially bringing the price down to $20,000 by 2028. This strategy mirrors Tesla’s approach with electric vehicles, making advanced technology increasingly accessible to mainstream consumers. Industry observers note that Optimus’s capabilities represent a significant leap forward in consumer robotics, with its ability to learn new tasks through demonstration and neural network training. The robot’s AI system can process and adapt to new situations in real-time, making it more versatile than previous household robots. Early testing shows that Optimus can perform over 200 distinct tasks, from basic household chores to more complex activities like pet care and garden maintenance. This versatility, combined with its humanoid form factor, positions it as a potential game-changer in the personal robotics market. Subscribe