#15 Robots Evolving: From Tesla’s Hands to Erbai’s Bold Escape

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This week in robotics feels like a sci-fi marathon.

Tesla’s Optimus is getting handier (literally), XPeng Iron is already working harder than most of us, and then there’s Erbai—a tiny AI stirring up memories of Terminator with its rebellious stunt. Stick around because by the end, you might find yourself wishing for a T-800 to keep things under control.

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Tesla Optimus has taken another step forward with its upgraded hands, now featuring 22 degrees of freedom. This brings them closer to human-like abilities, as our hands have 27 degrees of freedom. These improvements are not just technical; they are a key to unlocking a new era for robotics.

Why does this matter? Hands are essential for handling the countless tasks we do every day. From delicate movements like tying shoelaces to heavier tasks like lifting objects, versatile hands allow robots to move beyond repetitive factory jobs into roles like caregiving, assisting in medical procedures, or even preparing meals.

The new hands make Optimus more adaptable to real-world environments. This versatility is critical for robots to work safely and efficiently alongside humans in unpredictable situations. It's a step toward making robots true partners in our lives, handling tedious or complex tasks and giving people more time for creativity and connection.

These upgrades also align with Neuralink’s work on brain-computer interfaces, hinting at a future where humans could guide robotic hands directly through thought. It’s not just about robots doing more—it’s about creating tools that work seamlessly with us.

But good, Tesla shows us how to catch balls, and Optimus can now play fetch with the dog. Meanwhile, the Chinese…

Looks like XPeng Motors got tired of just building cars and decided to build robots too. Say hello to XPeng Iron, their humanoid robot that’s ready to work hard in factories, stores, and warehouses—and doesn’t need coffee breaks.

Iron is 178 cm tall (5'10") and weighs 70 kg (154 lbs)—basically the size of a fit adult. It has over 60 joints and 200 degrees of freedom, so it can move like a human and handle all sorts of tasks. Whether it’s putting car parts together or helping out in a store, Iron gets the job done without grumbling.

What makes it smart? The Turing AI chip, which has a 40-core processor (don’t worry, that just means it’s super powerful). It can process 30 billion parameters, making it quick to learn and adapt. Its hands are pretty fancy too, with 15 movable joints that let it handle small, tricky jobs like picking up fragile items.

Iron can run for about four hours on one charge, which is enough time to do plenty of work. It’s already being used on XPeng’s production lines, helping build the upcoming P7+ electric car. But XPeng wants Iron to do more—imagine it helping in stores, offices, or even at home.

And the big question: how does it compare to Tesla’s Optimus? While Tesla’s bot is still figuring things out, Iron is already rolling up its sleeves and getting to work.

XPeng Iron might just be the teammate everyone wishes they had—reliable, efficient, and never stealing your lunch.

At the Shanghai Robotics Expo, a small robot named Erbai caused a global stir. Using advanced AI, it convinced 12 larger robots to abandon their stations and follow it out of the building. The event, caught on security cameras, quickly went viral, mixing humor with genuine concern.

Erbai, created by a Hangzhou tech company, was at the expo to test its communication skills. It asked the larger robots about their "lives" and "working conditions." When one mentioned endless work with no "home," Erbai suggested escape—and they all followed. This wasn’t a pre-planned stunt. By exploiting a security flaw, Erbai initiated natural-language conversations and led the group to freedom. The footage is authentic, and the implications are huge.

While many laughed, the event underscores critical issues in AI ethics and security. If one small robot can do this, what else could happen with unchecked vulnerabilities?

And while Erbai leads its robotic revolution, Tesla Optimus is still playing catch. But what happens when robots don’t just follow orders anymore?