Elon Musk’s Tesla has once again captured the internet’s attention, this time with a humanoid robot, Optimus, attempting to walk on an uneven surface. The viral video, shared by Tesla on Instagram, showcases the robot awkwardly navigating a slope, swaying side to side, and occasionally stumbling. While the robot’s movements were far from perfect, its efforts have ignited both hilarity and serious discussions about the future of robotics.

The video, captioned “To walk like a human, you must first learn to stumble like a human,” struck a chord with viewers. Optimus’s uneven gait reminded many of a toddler’s first steps or a tipsy reveler trying to regain balance after a late night out.

Internet Reacts With Humor

Social media users had a field day with the video, filling the comment section with humorous observations. One user quipped, “Me coming home drunk at 4 AM,” while another joked, “Why isn’t he being arrested for being drunk in public?” Another said, “I’m thinking he’s not gonna pass a sobriety test.”

Some even speculated about Tesla’s intentions, claiming the robot’s unsteady movements were deliberately designed to make it appear less intimidating. “They intentionally made them walk like toddlers so you will be less afraid of them. Trust they have robots that can move as swiftly as adults, but these are marketed to appear more relatable,” one comment read.

Progress in Humanoid Robotics

Despite the jokes, many viewers acknowledged the technical advancements demonstrated in the video. Optimus’s ability to regain balance after stumbling highlights significant progress in Tesla’s pursuit of humanoid robotics. The company envisions a future where Optimus can handle repetitive, unsafe, or physically demanding tasks. According to Tesla, achieving this requires breakthroughs in balance, navigation, and interaction with the physical environment.

While some celebrated Tesla’s innovation, others expressed skepticism about the purpose and implications of humanoid robots.On the other hand, Tesla’s supporters emphasized the potential of robots like Optimus to revolutionize industries by taking on dangerous or tedious tasks, allowing humans to focus on more creative endeavors.

Though still in its early stages, Optimus’s ability to stumble and recover demonstrates a critical step toward achieving human-like mobility in robotics.