Chinese scientists have just created the “world’s fastest robot.” Here’s how it differs from Elon Musk’s Optimus Gen-2

At first glance, both of their designs appear similar, but that’s where the similarities seem to end, as these humanoids appear to have been created for completely different purposes. Here’s a comparison of the two humanoids!

Built differently

Tesla Optimus Gen-2 is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall and weighs about 125 pounds (57 kg). The STAR1 looks thicker in comparison, standing at 5’7″ (171 cm) and weighing 143 lbs (65 kg).

Tesla Optimus Gen-2 has 28 degrees of freedom, providing superior flexibility and a wider range of motion, especially for tasks that require delicate manipulation and precise movements. The STAR1 has 12 degrees of freedom, allowing for moderate flexibility and a relatively humanoid range of motion.

STAR1 wears sneakers, while Optimus Gen-2 does not.

STAR1 is the latest breakthrough in humanoid roboticsdeveloping a maximum speed of about 3.6 meters per second, making it the fastest bipedal robot still built. However, this speed can be attributed to the sneakers he was wearing. Yes, his creators gave him a pair of running shoes so he could test his speed on a variety of surfaces, from paved roads to gravel in the Gobi Desert. The results were impressive: STAR1 maintained top speed for an incredible 34 minutes. As far as we know, Optimus Gen-2 doesn’t have a pair.

In fact, STAR1 even surpassed previous speed records set by Unitree’s H1, which achieved a speed of 12.2 kilometers per hour (3.3 m/s) earlier this year. The STAR1’s design is focused on mobility and may allow future use in rescue, sports or military operations where moving quickly over varied terrain is critical.

Utility

The STAR1’s focus on mobility allows it to be used in the future in rescue, sports or military operations where moving quickly over varied terrain is critical.

Unlike the STAR1 high-speed focus, Optimus Gen-2 is designed with the human condition in mind, taking into account AI capabilities which allow him to perform repetitive tasks that require precision and fine motor skills, and to interact safely with people. Tesla envisions a future in which Optimus replaces humans in routine or hazardous jobs, facilitating industrial and home automation.

Computing power driven by artificial intelligence

In terms of artificial intelligence, STAR1’s 275 TOPS give it an advantage in real-time processing, allowing it to make quick decisions and adapt to the terrain.

Tesla hasn’t revealed the exact TOPS rating for Optimus, but its AI system is integrated into Tesla’s existing AI architecture that powers its self-driving cars. Optimus likely has strong artificial intelligence capabilities, especially in the areas of perception and decision-making, and is more task-oriented rather than extreme mobility like STAR1.

The difference between STAR1 and Optimus Gen-2 highlights two different directions in humanoid robotics. Whether it’s racing through dangerous terrain or helping out on the factory floor, one thing is for sure: these machines are paving the way for a new era of automation.