A new video from a Tesla demonstration in Miami shows the Optimus humanoid robot falling during its presentation.
The footage highlights unusual hand movements made as it fell, which closely resemble the gestures of someone removing a VR headset.
The clip has prompted discussion about whether the robot was being remotely operated rather than acting autonomously.
Last week, Tesla also shared a new Optimus update, showing improved balance, coordination, and gait, following earlier progress in walking, handling objects, and posture training.
If there was any question that Optimus uses teleop for their robots. Here one clearly has a guy take the headset off and it falls over.
Absolutely hilarious though. pic.twitter.com/4gYVohjY00
— CIX 🦾 (@cixliv) December 8, 2025
Optimus autonomy questioned
A leaked recording from Tesla’s ‘Autonomy Visualized’ event in Miami has sparked renewed discussion about the Optimus humanoid robot.
The video shows Optimus performing tasks such as handing out bottled water, posing for photos, and dancing for attendees. During the demonstration, the robot’s movements became unstable while distributing water, leading to dropped items and eventually a backward fall, reports GizmoChina.
One moment in the footage has drawn particular attention. As the robot tipped over, it moved its hands toward its face, a motion that closely resembles the way humans remove a virtual reality headset. Observers noted that Optimus was not wearing any device, making the gesture a key point of debate.
Researchers, industry watchers, and online viewers noted that the movement is similar to that observed in teleoperated robots controlled via VR interfaces. The detail has led to speculation that the robot may have been remotely controlled during the event rather than functioning autonomously, according to Electrek.
While falls are not unusual in robotics development, this specific hand motion has raised questions about the current level of autonomy in Tesla’s system and whether the demonstration reflected real independent capability or operator input.
Recently, Elon Musk rejected suggestions that Optimus demonstrations involve remote control, stating a new clip showing the robot performing kung-fu was “AI, not tele-operated.”
Tesla robot progress
Tesla released a new update on its Optimus humanoid robot, posting a short video on X on December 3. The clip, shared by both the official Optimus account and Elon Musk, shows the robot running in a lab and highlights what Tesla calls a new performance record. The video has quickly gained traction online.
Optimus measures 5 feet 11 inches, weighs around 160 pounds, and includes more than 40 degrees of freedom, with 11-DoF hands designed for dexterous, human-like manipulation. It uses a 2.3 kWh battery that supports near full-day operation, consuming between 100W at idle and 500W while walking. Tesla says the latest update demonstrates improved balance, gait, and whole-body coordination.
Another short video circulating online compares Optimus’ progress between May 2023 and December 2025, showing early, unstable steps alongside more recent, smoother movement. Earlier demonstrations, including an October clip showing basic kung-fu motions, signaled progress in stability and motor control.
Tesla expects Optimus to move toward mass production, with Musk estimating a future price between $20,000 and $30,000. The company’s long-term vision includes robots building other robots using a self-replicating manufacturing approach. Musk has also projected deploying 5,000 Optimus units by the end of 2025, positioning humanoids as a key step in the evolving future of automated manufacturing.