Optimus vs Figure 02: Key Humanoid Robot Differences

Optimus measures 173 x 50 x 30 cm and weighs 57 kg, featuring a sleek, articulated design with compliant actuators for safety and balance. Figure 02 is slightly smaller at 168 x 50 x 30 cm but heavier at 70 kg, designed for robustness in industrial settings. Both robots emphasize compliant actuators to ensure safe physical interaction and have multi-camera setups, but Figure 02’s added microphones and speakers indicate a focus on human interaction.

Optimus can reach speeds up to 8.06 km/h (2.24 m/s), significantly faster than Figure 02’s 3 km/h (1.2 m/s), reflecting Optimus’s design for agility and broader operational environments including domestic assistance. Both rely on vision-based navigation, with Optimus using Tesla’s FSD vision system and Figure 02 employing vision-based SLAM. Optimus also incorporates internal proprioception for refined motion control.

Optimus is equipped with RGB and stereo cameras, IMU, gyroscope, force, and temperature sensors providing rich environmental awareness and tactile feedback. Figure 02 also has multiple RGB cameras (six), IMU, gyroscope, force sensors, and adds specialized touchless human detection sensors, microphones, and speakers for enhanced interaction capabilities. This sensor suite supports Figure 02’s AI-driven adaptability and communication.

Optimus runs on Tesla’s custom OS integrating AI and the Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, focusing on imitation learning and task execution based on Tesla’s neural networks and computer vision expertise. Figure 02 uses a Linux-based OS with ROS APIs and benefits from partnerships with OpenAI and Microsoft, enabling advanced reasoning, natural language understanding, and multi-step task planning, highlighting its edge in intelligence and adaptability.

Optimus offers approximately 8 hours of operational use on a single charge, supporting longer continuous tasks. Figure 02’s battery life is not explicitly specified but is reported to have a similar battery size (~2.25 kWh) with improvements noted in endurance (around 5 hours in some sources). Both aim to sustain industrial and service operations with emergency stop features for safety.

Optimus targets a wide range of applications including manufacturing, logistics, elder care, and domestic assistance, reflecting its versatile design and autonomous control system. Figure 02 focuses on specialized industrial tasks like automotive assembly, repetitive industrial work, hazardous material handling, and logistics automation, leveraging its advanced AI and robustness for demanding environments.

Optimus operates on a Tesla custom OS tightly integrated with Tesla’s AI and FSD technology, benefiting from Tesla’s automotive AI development and manufacturing scale. Figure 02 uses a Linux-based OS with ROS-style APIs, facilitating flexible development and integration with advanced AI models from partners such as OpenAI, enabling sophisticated interaction and task execution.

Optimus is priced between $20,000 and $30,000, aiming for affordability and mass production scalability due to Tesla’s manufacturing expertise. Figure 02, at $130,000, reflects a premium investment in advanced AI and industrial robustness, targeting niche applications where intelligence and adaptability are prioritized over cost.

Both robots incorporate emergency stop mechanisms, compliant actuators for safe physical interaction, and obstacle or collision detection systems. Optimus additionally integrates force and temperature sensors to enhance operational safety, while Figure 02 adds touchless human detection and audio sensors to improve situational awareness and responsive safety in complex environments.