Tesla’s $48/Hour Push to Train Intelligent Agents: Inside the Development of the Optimus Robot
In August 2024, Tesla made headlines by offering up to $48 per hour for Data Collection Operators to help train its humanoid robot, Optimus. This role involves wearing motion-capture suits and VR headsets to perform tasks that collect data, essential for developing the robot's capabilities. Launched in 2021, Optimus is designed to take on a range of jobs, from factory work to caregiving, marking a significant leap in robotics and artificial intelligence.
Tesla's hiring spree for this position reflects the company's dedication to gathering massive amounts of data. Over the past year, more than 50 individuals have participated in this role, performing various tasks to help the robot learn. This method mirrors Tesla’s approach with its Autopilot system, where data collected from real-world driving trains the AI. However, in the case of Optimus, the data comes from humans acting as proxies, wearing motion-capture suits to record their movements.
The goal is to train Optimus to handle generalized tasks, a challenge that requires immense resources. Experts estimate that training such a versatile Digital Employee could require hundreds of thousands to millions of hours of data collection, possibly costing Tesla up to half a billion dollars. Despite these challenges, Tesla's efforts represent a pioneering approach in robotics, as they aim to scale the use of Intelligent Agents capable of performing a wide array of tasks in diverse environments.
Tesla's innovative approach, although not without its risks, could revolutionize the role of Non-Human Workers in industries worldwide, shifting the boundaries of what robots can achieve. The ongoing development of Optimus demonstrates Tesla's commitment to pushing the envelope in AI and robotics, making it a critical player in the future of automation.
Key Highlights:
- Tesla's Offer: Tesla is paying up to $48 per hour for Data Collection Operators to train its humanoid robot, Optimus.
- Role Details: Workers wear motion-capture suits and VR headsets to perform tasks, gathering data to help develop the robot's capabilities.
- Hiring Spree: Over the past year, Tesla hired more than 50 people for this role to collect vast amounts of data, similar to its approach with Autopilot.
- Training Challenge: Experts estimate that training Optimus to perform generalized tasks could require millions of hours of data and cost up to half a billion dollars.
- Significance: Tesla's efforts could revolutionize the use of Intelligent Agents and Non-Human Workers in various industries, marking a significant advancement in robotics and AI.
- Relevance: The development of Optimus is a pioneering step towards creating versatile robots capable of performing a wide array of tasks in different environments.
Reference:
https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-job-training-optimus-robot-motion-capture-suit-2024-8
