Tesla Board Chair Robyn Denholm revealed that the company's Optimus humanoid robot can now perform delicate tasks like folding laundry and shaking hands. This update highlights advancements in the robot's tactile capabilities, as shared during a CNBC interview. The developments position Optimus for broader applications in robotics and AI.
Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot has made significant strides in dexterity, according to Board Chair Robyn Denholm. In a CNBC interview on October 27, 2025, Denholm described observing the robot in Tesla's Palo Alto lab, where it successfully folded laundry, wiped tables effectively, handed over objects, and even shook hands. "Optimus can fold laundry. I’ve been in the lab with Optimus. He can fold laundry. He can wipe the table really well. He can hand things to you. You can actually shake hands with him. The tactile nature of his hand is actually really very good," she stated.
These capabilities underscore Optimus's progress toward human-like manipulation, a key goal for tasks traditionally done by people. Denholm noted that Optimus is already operating in Tesla's Palo Alto offices around the clock, redefining robotics through AI integration. "We’re redefining what transportation is, but we’re also redefining robotics and what AI brings to robotics and how versatile the robots will be in the future," she added.
During the Q3 2025 earnings call, CEO Elon Musk echoed this, emphasizing Optimus's potential for intricate operations like surgery. He linked it to Tesla's mission of sustainable abundance, stating, "Optimus will be an incredible surgeon, for example. Imagine if everyone had access to an incredible surgeon." Musk highlighted the engineering challenges of replicating the human hand and forearm, calling it "an incredible thing" due to its degrees of freedom and muscle structures.
Real-world demonstrations include Optimus handing out Halloween candy in New York City's Times Square on October 27, 2025, and prior roles serving drinks at Tesla's We, Robot event and assisting at the Tesla Diner in Los Angeles. These updates build on specs from Tesla's 2021 AI Day, with Optimus standing 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing 125 pounds, and featuring hands with 11 degrees of freedom for nuanced tasks. Production is slated to begin next year, targeting 5,000 units at the Fremont factory in 2025.