Elon Musk has this Star Wars hint for you with Optimus robot

Elon Musk-led electric vehicle company Tesla has unveiled a new video showcasing its Optimus robot catching a tennis ball one-handed. The company’s CEO also shared a video to praise this impressive feat of robotic engineering. The complex process involves rapid ball detection, trajectory prediction, motion tracking, and precise grasp timing, demonstrating significant advancements in robotic capabilities. This demonstration highlights the evolving potential of robots like Optimus. Musk also noted that these Optimus can be like personal Star Wars robots.


Musk reposted the video shared from Tesla’s X handle and wrote: “Optimus will be like having your own personal C-3PO & RD-D2”
R2-D2 and C-3PO, the iconic droids from "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi," are among the most recognisable robots in science fiction. Created by George Lucas, the pair embody contrasting personalities: R2-D2 is courageous and resourceful, while the humanoid C-3PO is known for his anxious nature. Their contrasting personalities and memorable adventures have solidified their place in cinematic history.
He also shared separate post with the same video and wrote: “Let’s give Optimus a hand for catching ball!”

The video has gone viral with more than 36 million views and 2.3 lakh likes as well as thousands of comments.

While many praised the latest video of Tesla's Optimus robot catching a tennis ball, some remain sceptical. Recalling the 2021 reveal where Optimus was initially presented as a person in a robot suit, one user commented that it "looks like a human catching it."
Since then, Tesla has showcased increasingly advanced prototypes, with Optimus now capable of serving drinks and interacting with guests at events. Musk envisions Optimus taking over "dangerous, repetitive, [and] boring tasks" at Tesla factories next year, with commercial availability for other companies by 2026.
He also imagines Optimus as a household robot, stating: "babysit your kid, walk your dog, mow your lawn, get the groceries, just be your friend, serve drinks."
However, owning an Optimus won't be cheap, with Musk suggesting a price tag of around $25,000 once mass production is achieved.