Most Read This Week: Tesla Humanoid Robot Optimus Could Launch in 2025

Here are the most-read stories in IoT World Today this week:

Tesla Humanoid Robot Optimus Could Launch in 2025

In an earnings call this week, Tesla CEO Elon Musk told investors that Tesla’s humanoid robot Optimus could be ready for production by the end of next year.

Musk said he believes Optimus will be able to perform tasks in a factory by the end of this year, before reaching wider-scale commercialization.

While Musk said these predictions were “just guesses,” he added that he believes that once Optimus reaches commercialization, it will be “more valuable than everything else combined” from the company’s production line.

“If you've got a sentient humanoid robot that is able to navigate reality and do tasks at request,  there is no meaningful limit to the size of the economy,” Musk said. 

Read more about the announcement >>>

AWS Demonstrates Industrial IoT Tools, Hannover 2024

Amazon Web Services (AWS) used this year’s Hannover Messe to demonstrate its AI-enabled industrial services, showcased in a video of a fictitious e-bike manufacturer using robots to assemble its bikes and AWS solutions to manage and monitor production. 

AWS tools, including a “supply chain focused” generative AI assistant, were used to overcome inventory shortages, production challenges and quality control issues.

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The demo also used Amazon Lookout for Equipment, Amazon Monitron for advanced predictive maintenance and monitoring, and AWS IoT SiteWise Edge from Siemens, which connects assets including robotic arms and sensors and offers factory connectivity.

See AWS’ tools in action >>>

Amazon Ends California Drone Deliveries 

Amazon is pulling the plug on its Prime Air drone delivery operations in Lockeford, California after two years of operation.

The announcement was made alongside news that the service would expand to Arizona later this year and more U.S. cities by 2025.

Lockeford was one of the earliest testbeds for Amazon’s service, which allows locals to order small packages and have drones deliver them in half an hour or less.

The company disclosed few details about why the Californian operations are closing but said in a blog post that it would offer current employees opportunities at other sites. 

Read more about the decision >>>

Volkswagen Demonstrates Kite-Powered EV Charging at Hannover Messe 2024

Volkswagen subsidiary Elli unveiled a new research project to create energy-autonomous electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions at this year’s Hannover Messe.

The project, conducted in collaboration with wind turbine manufacturer EnerKíte and the Technical University of Braunschweig, uses kites to harvest wind energy and convert it into electricity, which is stored in Elli's Flexpole fast charger and used to charge EVs. 

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According to the team, the project meets a current accessibility problem for EV users, expanding charging capabilities to remote regions and diversifying energy generation and charging infrastructure available to customers. 

Read more about the project >>>

Zipline Drone Delivery Hits 1M Delivery Mark, Expands Services

Autonomous drone delivery company Zipline has completed 1 million commercial drone deliveries to customers, becoming the first company to do so.

The company also announced that it is expanding its deliveries in the U.S. to include Panera Bread, Memorial Hermann Health System and Jet’s Pizza in Seattle, Houston and Detroit. 

To date, Zipline’s deliveries have encompassed Walmart retail deliveries and agriculture, animal health initiatives throughout Africa, and food delivery in Japan. 

The company continues to scale across the U.S. after receiving Federal Aviation Administration approval for beyond-line-of-sight deliveries last fall. 

Read more about the project >>>