‘Tesla Optimus learning Kung Fu’: Elon Musk’s humanoid robot stuns with human-like moves and balance | Watch |

Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, has captured global attention with a remarkable demonstration of artificial intelligence (AI) and real-world physical coordination. Elon Musk shared a short video on X (formerly Twitter) showing Optimus practising Kung Fu alongside a human trainer. The robot flawlessly mimics the trainer’s movements, executing precise blocks, changing stances, maintaining perfect balance, and adapting to real-time feedback throughout the session.Unlike earlier models that required human assistance for basic actions, this demonstration confirms that Optimus can learn complex physical tasks independently and efficiently. It highlights Tesla’s advancements in humanoid robotics, combining AI-driven learning, computer vision, and mechanical agility. Musk has emphasized that such capabilities allow Optimus to observe, analyse, and acquire new skills autonomously, signalling a major leap forward in practical, scalable AI-powered robotic applications for both industrial work and everyday life scenarios.

Tesla’s Optimus performs perfect Kung Fu steps with human-like control

In the viral video, Optimus begins with a friendly greeting to its human trainer, signaling a controlled start to the session. As the practice progresses, the robot replicates the trainer’s Kung Fu movements with remarkable accuracy. It executes blocks, shifts stances fluidly, and moves its arms in perfect coordination.What is most striking is how Optimus maintains balance and stability throughout the session. Unlike previous models, which struggled with smooth movement and coordination, Optimus performs complex maneuvers and returns to its resting pose seamlessly, demonstrating significant advancement in both mechanical engineering and AI control systems.

Elon Musk confirms Optimus operates fully on AI without human control

When questioned on X about remote control, Elon Musk confirmed that Optimus was operating completely on AI, without any human guidance or teleoperation. This independence is a stark contrast to earlier demonstrations, where human intervention was necessary even for basic actions.For example, in earlier appearances, such as serving popcorn at the Tesla Diner, Optimus was revealed to be tele-operated, relying entirely on human control. The Kung Fu demonstration, by contrast, shows that the robot is now capable of learning and executing complex skills autonomously, making it a true AI-driven humanoid robot.

Optimus learns by observation and signals Tesla’s ambitious robotics future

Elon Musk has previously explained that Optimus can learn new tasks simply by observing humans. The robot has already demonstrated the ability to vacuum floors and sort objects by watching human behavior and even online videos, including YouTube tutorials.This capability, known as observational learning, allows Optimus to adapt to human environments and perform practical tasks without explicit programming for each movement. It represents a major step toward robots that can autonomously learn and assist in real-world settings. Musk envisions Optimus as a cornerstone of Tesla’s future growth. He has stated that nearly 80% of Tesla’s long-term value could eventually derive from its robotics division. To accelerate adoption, Tesla plans to ramp up production to 5,000 Optimus units by 2025, signaling the company’s ambition to make humanoid robots a significant part of both industrial and everyday life.The Kung Fu demonstration is more than a novelty—it’s a showcase of AI sophistication, physical agility, and Tesla’s long-term robotics strategy, signaling a future where humanoid robots could become central to both work and daily activities.Also Read | Snapchat Memories may no longer be free: Here’s everything you need to know about new storage plans and backups