Tesla unveiled its humanoid robot Optimus to the public in Berlin on December 20, 2025, where it handed out popcorn at a Christmas market. The demonstration highlighted the robot's potential amid Elon Musk's vision for a future dominated by self-driving vehicles and humanoid machines. While the extent of Optimus's autonomy remains unclear, the event drew a long queue of visitors.
On Saturday, December 20, 2025, Tesla presented its humanoid robot Optimus at the Christmas market in Berlin's LP12 shopping center, known as the Mall of Berlin. The robot engaged visitors by picking up small popcorn boxes, filling them, and handing them out, attracting a long queue at the stand.
As with previous Tesla demonstrations, it was unclear whether Optimus operated autonomously or was partially remotely controlled. Reports suggest that some robots in such events are remotely operated; a recent video from a Miami event showed an Optimus robot falling backward after raising its hands to its head, movements indicating a remote operator removing 3D glasses. Tesla has not commented on these observations.
Tesla's CEO Elon Musk emphasized the company's shift toward self-driving 'robotaxis' and humanoid robots, especially as electric vehicle sales are expected to decline this year. Musk predicts a future with more robots than humans, leading to a 'world without poverty' where everyone accesses the best medical care. He stated, 'Optimus will be an incredible surgeon.' Musk hopes to begin robot production by the end of next year.
Competitors are advancing in robotics and autonomous driving. Chinese firms are researching robots, while US companies like Agility Robotics and Figure AI focus on industrial applications. Google's Waymo leads in self-driving technology with over 2,500 vehicles in US cities, compared to Tesla's few dozen supervised cars in Austin, Texas.
