Tesla, the electric vehicle giant led by CEO Elon Musk, is seeking new talent to assist in the training of its humanoid robots, known as Optimus. The automaker is now hiring "data collection operators" for its projects, offering pay rates that range from $25.25 to $48 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications. The positions involve the use of motion-capture technology and virtual reality equipment to imitate the movements the robots are designed to replicate.
As listed on the official Tesla careers page, applicants for these positions must be able to work long hours while wearing specialized suits designed to track their movements. Specifically, they should be capable of walking for over seven hours during their shifts. To ensure optimal performance with the motion-capture gear, applicants need to meet height requirements, falling between 5’7″ and 5’11″.
The demand for these operators highlights the growing trend of hiring human workers to train the very robots that may one day replace them. Workers will be seen simulating motions such as lifting and placing objects, closely observing how the humanoid robots execute their tasks.
While Tesla launched the Optimus project in 2021 with the vision of automating unsafe, repetitive, or labor-intensive factory tasks, some delays and setbacks have marred its progress. Musk had initially projected that production of these robots could commence as early as 2023, but this timeline has been revised amid mixed performances from the Optimus prototypes.
The interest in automation has surged, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, which revealed vulnerabilities in labor supply chains. As a result, more organizations are beginning to invest in robotic solutions to ensure resiliency and efficiency. According to a report by McKinsey, robot shipments are projected to rise by up to 50% annually until 2030.
As of 2016, only about 10% of warehouses were using significant automation technology. This number is expected to grow exponentially as advancements in machine learning and AI develop new applications for robots across sectors.
Despite Tesla's optimism regarding the potential of Optimus, competition in the robotics industry is fierce. Companies such as Figure, backed by notable investors including Microsoft and Nvidia, recently raised $675 million to enhance their robotic technologies. They have struck a commercial agreement with BMW to deploy robots in their manufacturing process.
Tesla is positioning itself in this rapidly evolving market, but it faces several challenges associated with the development and deployment of reliable humanoid robots. Animesh Garg, a robotics professor at Georgia Institute of Technology, noted that producing robots at scale remains a formidable challenge. Effective data collection for this purpose could cost around half a billion dollars, he warned, adding that success is not guaranteed even with significant investment.
The mixed reception of the initial Optimus prototypes led to some disappointment among experts in the robotics field, who had hoped for more advanced capabilities. "While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the humanoid robot that Musk briefly demonstrated on stage, there’s nothing uniquely right, either," observed Evan Ackerman, robotics editor for IEEE Spectrum.
Tesla's efforts to successfully deploy humanoid robots may take several years to bear fruit, but the company has been adamant about the potential of these machines to transform the industrial landscape. Musk's vision includes a future where over 20 billion units of Optimus robots could be produced, catering to an ever-growing demand across sectors.
In July 2024, Musk mentioned that initial production of the robots is anticipated for internal use within Tesla by next year, with broader sales plans aimed for 2026. As competition heats up and technological hurdles remain, the road ahead for Tesla and its humanoid aspirations is both promising and challenging.
Interested in applying to more Tesla roles? Checkout their Careers page, here.
