Tesla shows off impressive Optimus Gen 2 humanoid robot

Posted on


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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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 September 2023, however, Tesla posted a video on X showing the Gen 1 Optimus walking on its own and sorting objects by color. It even demonstrated some yoga moves that required quite a bit of balance. 

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

Tesla shows off impressive Optimus Gen 2 humanoid robot





Source

“Tesla Files” whistleblower alerts UK authorities about potential security risk

Posted on


A former Tesla employee-turned-whistleblower has alerted UK authorities about a potential security risk concerning the EV maker’s supposed handling of employee data. Lukasz Krupski, who joined Tesla in 2018, alleged that personal information, including passport numbers, medical details, and salaries of current and former Tesla employees across the world, among others, are accessible to staff, including those in China, via internal systems.

In his communication with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK’s privacy watchdog, Krupski claimed that Tesla’s sensitive data was housed on a project tracking software called Jira, which was accessible to Tesla staff without restrictions. The whistleblower warned that this poses a security risk since individuals in China or Russia with potentially conflicting agendas could access the information.

In a comment to The Telegraph, the Tesla whistleblower noted that such data could be used against the West. “It could be very useful for Russian or Chinese intelligence. Individuals in these countries who have power, they have their own agendas which (do) not necessarily align with the Western world,” Krupski noted. 

Among the data that could be accessed are details about other Tesla employees. These include CEO Elon Musk, whose personal details are reportedly in the system. And while Tesla employed over 127,000 workers last year, the database reportedly also includes people who have left the company, including their reasons for doing so. 

Earlier this year, Tesla noted that it had tightened the security around the system. Previously, the company stated that the database could be accessed by anyone who has access to a valid Tesla email address. Journalists at Handelsblatt, who received Krupski’s leaked Tesla files, have noted that there were indications that China-based Tesla employees had contributed to Jira tickets. 

Krupski, who has described himself as a longtime electric car enthusiast and a “Tesla believer,” is known for his whistleblowing activities. Earlier this year, he shared a large amount of data with German newspaper Handelsblatt. The leaked data, which media agencies have dubbed the “Tesla Files,” included, among other things, complaints from customers about Tesla’s driver-assist systems. 

Krupski has also been interviewed by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Both agencies have ongoing probes into Tesla’s self-driving program. The UK ICO, for its part, has not issued a comment about whether it had looked into the Tesla whistleblower’s claims. Tesla has also not posted a comment about the matter as of writing. 

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

“Tesla Files” whistleblower alerts UK authorities about potential security risk





Source

Tesla takes No.2 spot in China’s overall NEV market, CPCA ranking reveals

Posted on


Tesla is playing at a disadvantage in China’s New Energy Vehicle (NEV) sector. Being a pure electric vehicle maker, Tesla is immediately handicapped since China’s NEV segment includes both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEV). Despite this, Tesla was able to secure an impressive spot in China’s NEV sector in November. 

Rankings released today by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) reveal that Tesla’s retail sales in China rose 4.8% year-on-year to 65,504 units in November. This was enough to give Tesla a 7.8% market share in the country’s NEV sector. This was also enough to make Tesla into China’s No.2 NEV maker behind BYD. 

Chinese automaker BYD cemented its leadership in the country’s NEV sector in November, with sales hitting 263,066 units for a dominant 31.3% market share. BYD’s results mark a 20.9% increase for the company compared to the same period last year. It should be noted, of course, that BYD sells both BEVs and PHEVs.

Geely, another Chinese automaker, experienced an impressive 98.4% year-over-year surge in its NEV sales, reaching 63,462 units and securing a 7.6% market share in November, just behind Tesla. This impressive performance pushed Geely to third place in China’s NEV rankings.

Looking at the January-November period, the trend is quite similar. BYD leads the NEV pack with an impressive 35.3% market share and a staggering 2,405,860 units sold. Tesla, with its 7.8% share and 527,859 units sold, stands at a distant second, as noted in a CNEV Post report. This is still a notable accomplishment for Tesla, however, especially since the Model 3 sedan and Model Y crossover are still marketed as premium vehicles. 

China saw passenger NEV sales exceed 841,000 units in November, as per data previously released by the CPCA. This milestone highlights the country’s efforts and commitment to a sustainable transportation sector. From this number, BEVs claimed 65.6% of the market with over 552,000 units sold, while PHEVs accounted for a significant 34.4% with over 289,000 units sold.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

Tesla takes No.2 spot in China’s overall NEV market, CPCA ranking reveals





Source