The Tesla Bot demonstrates its strength by lifting a piano using a single motor

Tesla demonstrated the power of its drive technology for the Tesla Bot, its humanoid robot, by installing a one-legged robot drive that lifts an entire piano.

Part of the logic behind Tesla’s venture into a humanoid robot, which seems out of step with its mission to accelerate the emergence of sustainable energy and transportation, was that the automaker felt its cars were already “robots on wheels “.

Tesla believed that many of its existing technologies and experiences would translate well to a bipedal robot, and so it felt it was in a good position to pursue this world-changing idea of ​​functional humanoid robots.

For example, like its electric cars, the robot is powered by batteries, it is equipped with the same self-driving computer and a similar set of sensors to power its vision system, and Tesla already has experience in developing electric motors and drives that are also used to power robots.

Konstantinos LaskarisTesla’s chief engine designer has been responsible for the development of electric motors and drives for Tesla cars for more than ten years now.

Now his team is tasked with developing drives specifically for Tesla Optimus, the latest version of the Tesla Bot.

At Tesla’s AI Day last month, the company unveiled the latest Tesla Optimus prototype, equipped for the first time with Tesla-designed actuators rather than off-the-shelf products.

Unfortunately, the prototype was created so recently that Tesla was not yet ready to release it at the event.

The robot is equipped with 28 structural actuators, including two main leg actuators.

Even though it couldn’t show it walking, Tesla decided to release a new video that demonstrates just how strong the Tesla Bot’s main leg actuators are when one actuator lifts a half-ton/500kg concert grand piano:

Lascaris Tesla plays the piano in the video.

At its AI Day, Tesla said it believes its latest self-driving robot will be able to walk in the coming weeks.

Tesla doesn’t release marketing videos like this very often, but we may be getting one with a Tesla walking bot soon.

Subscribe to Electrek on YouTube for exclusive videos and subscribe to podcast.