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The story of Optimus begins with early prototypes affectionately called Bumblebee. Although these initial models showed promise, they were far from practical for household use. In March 2023, Tesla launched Generation 1 of Optimus, featuring significant improvements in design and functionality, while maintaining an efficient update cycle that showed the company's commitment to advancing robotics.
Tesla’s approach to developing Optimus differs from that of many other organizations in the robotics field. Rather than outsourcing development, Tesla opted for a wholly internal approach that allowed for total control over the production process, enabling innovations in actuator design and control systems that set Optimus apart.