UPDATE: Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, has made a striking public debut in Berlin, delighting visitors at the LP12 shopping centre by handing out popcorn. This exciting demonstration took place on Saturday, December 9, 2025, as crowds flocked to the bustling Christmas market.
The Optimus robot showcased its capabilities by filling small popcorn boxes and distributing them to eager attendees, creating a long queue at the stand. However, questions remain regarding the robot’s autonomy—whether it operates fully independently or is partially remote-controlled.
In a tweet from Tesla Europe & Middle East, the company announced additional appearances for Optimus. The robot will also be seen at Westfield London on December 13, from 10 AM to 8 PM, and will return to Berlin on December 20 for the same hours.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has ambitious plans for the future, asserting that the company’s focus extends beyond electric vehicles to include self-driving “robotaxis” and humanoid robots. Musk envisions a world where robots outnumber humans, significantly improving access to healthcare and potentially leading to a “world without poverty.” He stated, “Optimus will be an incredible surgeon,” underscoring the transformative potential he believes robotics hold.
The company is expected to start production of the Optimus robots by the end of next year. However, some skeptics point to previous demonstrations where the robots appeared to behave erratically. A recent viral video showed an Optimus robot falling backward at an event in Miami after raising its arms—suggesting remote control involvement during the incident.
Tesla has not commented on the specific nature of its demonstrations, but competition is intensifying in the robotics sector. Chinese firms, along with US companies like Agility Robotics and Figure AI, are actively researching robotic applications in various industries. Meanwhile, Waymo, Google’s sister company, leads in autonomous driving technology with over 2,500 driverless vehicles operating across multiple US cities.
As excitement builds around Tesla’s developments in robotics, observers will be closely watching the upcoming appearances of Optimus in London and Berlin. The future of humanoid robots is unfolding rapidly, and Tesla’s next steps could redefine public interaction with technology.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
