Overview
- At Tesla’s “Autonomy Visualized” event in Miami, an Optimus robot knocked over water bottles and fell backward after making a motion resembling someone removing a VR headset.
- Observers and some robotics experts said the gesture is characteristic of teleoperation, and a post by robotics CEO Cix Liv amplified that interpretation on X.
- The short video first appeared on Reddit and quickly spread across social platforms, driving widespread coverage and online analysis.
- Tesla did not respond to questions about whether the robot at the event was being remotely operated, leaving the incident unexplained.
- The episode contrasts with Elon Musk’s prior denials that recent demos were teleoperated and follows earlier disputed showcases, including a 2024 laundry-folding clip, despite Tesla’s Dec. 3 update touting balance and gait gains.