FYI: Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, showcases impressive new hand capabilities amidst Neuralink’s FDA approval for a groundbreaking study.
Tesla Unveils Enhanced Humanoid Robot Hands
Tesla’s innovative developments continue as the company revealed a significant upgrade to its humanoid robot, Optimus. The robot’s advanced hands feature improved dexterity, a step forward for Tesla’s robotics projects. Tesla’s latest update was creatively announced via an X social media post, humorously suggesting, “Got a new hand for Black Friday.” This announcement comes as Tesla demonstrates Optimus’ capability to catch a tennis ball, highlighting its upgraded mechanical hands that now boast 22 degrees of freedom (DoF), closely approaching the 27 DoF of human hands.
Neuralink’s Milestone FDA Approval
The unveiling of Optimus’ new capabilities coincides with a major milestone achieved by Neuralink, Elon Musk’s brain-machine interface company. Neuralink has obtained approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to commence a new feasibility trial named the CONVOY Study. This approval will allow Neuralink to explore its Brain-to-Computer Interface (BCI) N1 implant in practical scenarios, using assistive robotic arms. Such advancements could be revolutionary for individuals with limited mobility, offering a glimpse into a future of enhanced human-robot interaction.
Dual Enrollment in Pioneering Trials
In a forward-looking statement during Neuralink’s July update, Musk discussed the potential integration of Optimus’ limbs with the N1 implant technology. Neuralink plans to enable participant cross-enrollment between its ongoing CONVOY and PRIME studies. The PRIME Study has already seen successful N1 implantations in two patients, empowering them to control electronic devices through thought alone, thereby opening new possibilities for human-computer interaction.
Conclusion
The recent advancements by Tesla and Neuralink underscore the rapid progress in robotics and neurotechnology. As Tesla Optimus showcases its advanced capabilities, and Neuralink embarks on new studies, the synergy between these technologies promises a transformative impact on assistive and interactive technologies. Stay informed with more updates and insights from Automotive.fyi by reaching out at tips@automotive.fyi or on Twitter @automotivefyi.
Authored by William Kouch, Editor of Automotive.fyi
