Tesla’s Optimus Robot Dances Like a Human

A recent video shared by Elon Musk highlights Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, showcasing its ability to dance with surprising fluidity and human-like moves.

In the clip posted on X, Musk presented the robot’s impressive dance abilities without any initial caption, later stating, “This is real and real-time.”

This prompted plenty of speculation online, with some asking, “Is this the real thing or is AI created?”

The X-chatbot Grok chimed in, clarifying that the video likely features a genuine Tesla Optimus robot, mentioning that similar performances had been demonstrated in events like the “We, Robot” gathering back in October 2024, with updates on walking capabilities shared in April 2025.

Tesla first unveiled the concept of humanoid robots during its AI Day in 2021, where there were no actual prototypes, just humans dressed as robots. By 2022, however, a semi-functional version of Optimus made its debut.

Fast forward to 2023, and Optimus Gen 2 was performing more complex tasks like sorting colored blocks, striking yoga poses, and yes, dancing. Notably, Tesla improved the robot’s hands, which now offer 11 degrees of movement, with ambitions for 22 degrees in future models.

Elon Musk views the Optimus Robot as one of Tesla’s key innovations. Unlike traditional robots that merely follow fixed instructions, Optimus aims to operate independently, learning from real-world experiences and simulations, according to the company.

This capability could revolutionize teamwork between humans and robots in sectors like manufacturing, potentially tapping into a market worth around $25 trillion, while also promoting sustainability by taking on demanding laborious tasks.

Recently, Musk mentioned that Tesla’s production of Optimus robots is being influenced by China’s restrictions on exporting rare earth magnets. In a revenue call, he noted China requires assurances that these magnets, crucial for robot development, won’t be used for military purposes. He assured that Tesla uses these magnets solely for its humanoid robots.