Tesla’s Optimus Robots Are Almost Indistinguishable from Humans — This Year, They Could Compete in Track and Field

According to the Science & Technology section of SaedNews, a new video released by Tesla Optimus’ official account shows the Tesla robot running in a laboratory setting. A caption reading “A new record in the lab” suggests that Tesla is introducing another milestone for Optimus.

The video highlights significant improvements in Optimus’ balance, motor coordination, and step control.

Simultaneously, another video circulating on social media compares the robot’s progress from May 2023 to December 2025—a span of 2.5 years. The upper part of the video shows Tesla robots taking their first steps in the factory, while the lower section features the latest, more capable version of Optimus performing advanced movements.

By mid-2025, Tesla demonstrated that Optimus could handle more complex tasks, such as walking, lifting small objects, and performing pre-programmed operations like moving items. In September, the 2.5 Gen version of Optimus debuted; although still a bit slow in simple tasks, only a month later, another video showcased the robot’s Kung Fu skills, highlighting its improved mobility.

Standing around 180 centimeters tall and weighing nearly 72 kilograms, Optimus boasts more than 40 degrees of freedom and uses highly precise 11-DoF robotic hands for human-like interaction. The robot is powered by a 2.3 kWh battery, allowing nearly full-day operation, with energy consumption ranging from roughly 100 watts in standby mode to 500 watts while walking.

Tesla aims to deploy around 5,000 Optimus robots on production lines by the end of 2025, and this new running demonstration represents a key step toward that goal.

The automaker emphasizes that Optimus is still in active development but is nearing mass production. Elon Musk has previously estimated the robot’s price could range between $20,000 and $30,000.