Optimus vs PR2
Side-by-side comparison of Optimus (Tesla) and PR2 (Willow Garage) — specs, pricing, Robolist Product Score, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
Optimize comparison for buyer
Optimized for Cleaning & Facilities buyers. Priority specs lifted to the top and marked with a target.
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- OptimusUnited States
- PR2United States
Year First Available
- Optimus2022
- PR22010
Verified Deployments
- Optimus0 Deployments
- PR20 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price Range (USD)
- Optimus$25,000
- PR2$400,000
Battery / Shift Runtime
- Optimus8 hrs
- PR22 hrs
Availability Status
- OptimusACTIVE
- PR2ACTIVE
Physical Form Factor
Weight
- Optimus25.4 kg
- PR2200 kg
Height
- Optimus173 mm
- PR2164.5 mm
Mobility Type
- Optimusbipedal
- PR2bipedal
Humanoid Subtype
- Optimusfull bipedal
- PR2full bipedal
Walking Speed
- Optimus2.2 m/s
- PR2—
Running Capable
- Optimusrun capable
- PR2—
Terrain
- Optimusflat indoor, uneven outdoor
- PR2flat indoor
Payload & Dexterity
Payload
- Optimus9 kg
- PR21.8 kg
Payload (Peak)
- Optimus68 kg
- PR2—
Total DOF
- Optimus75
- PR214
Arm DOF
- Optimus28
- PR27
Hand DOF
- Optimus22
- PR2—
Bimanual Coordination
- Optimusfull bimanual
- PR2Yes
Compute & AI
Onboard Compute
- OptimusTesla AI5 chip
- PR2Two 8-core computers with a combined 48 GB of RAM
Compute Platform
- OptimusTesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) computer
- PR2—
VLM Capable
- Optimus—
- PR2No
Imitation Learning
- Optimus—
- PR2No
Programming
- Optimuscode_python, proprietary_app
- PR2code_ros
Battery & Power
Runtime
- Optimus8 hrs
- PR2—
Battery Capacity
- Optimus2.3 kWh
- PR2—
Battery Swap
- Optimus—
- PR2No
Software
SDK Languages
- Optimuscode_python, proprietary_app
- PR2Python
ROS Support
- Optimusros2 vendor
- PR2Yes
Open API
- OptimusYes
- PR2Yes
Reliability
Deployment Maturity
- Optimusprototype
- PR2research
IP Rating
- OptimusIP68 FOREARM TO HANDS & FOOT
- PR2—
Commercial
Price (USD)
- Optimus$25,000
- PR2$400,000
Price Tier
- Optimus20-40K
- PR2—
Pricing Model
- Optimuscapex
- PR2—
Delivery Lead Time
- Optimus2 mo
- PR2—
Applications
- Optimuslogistics, healthcare, domestic use
- PR2research
| ||
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country | United States | United States |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2022 | 2010 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price Range (USD) (values differ) | $25,000 | $400,000 |
| Battery / Shift Runtime (priority for Cleaning & Facilities buyers) (values differ) | 8 hrs | 2 hrs |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Physical Form Factor | ||
| Weight (priority for Cleaning & Facilities buyers) (values differ) | 25.4 kg | 200 kg |
| Height (values differ) | 173 mm | 164.5 mm |
| Mobility Type | bipedal | bipedal |
| Humanoid Subtype | full bipedal | full bipedal |
| Walking Speed (values differ) | 2.2 m/s | — |
| Running Capable (values differ) | run capable | — |
| Terrain (values differ) | flat indoor, uneven outdoor | flat indoor |
| Payload & Dexterity | ||
| Payload (values differ) | 9 kg | 1.8 kg |
| Payload (Peak) (values differ) | 68 kg | — |
| Total DOF (values differ) | 75 | 14 |
| Arm DOF (values differ) | 28 | 7 |
| Hand DOF (values differ) | 22 | — |
| Bimanual Coordination (values differ) | full bimanual | Yes |
| Compute & AI | ||
| Onboard Compute (values differ) | Tesla AI5 chip | Two 8-core computers with a combined 48 GB of RAM |
| Compute Platform (values differ) | Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) computer | — |
| VLM Capable (values differ) | — | No |
| Imitation Learning (values differ) | — | No |
| Programming (values differ) | code_python, proprietary_app | code_ros |
| Battery & Power | ||
| Runtime (values differ) | 8 hrs | — |
| Battery Capacity (values differ) | 2.3 kWh | — |
| Battery Swap (values differ) | — | No |
| Software | ||
| SDK Languages (values differ) | code_python, proprietary_app | Python |
| ROS Support (values differ) | ros2 vendor | Yes |
| Open API | Yes | Yes |
| Reliability | ||
| Deployment Maturity (values differ) | prototype | research |
| IP Rating (values differ) | IP68 FOREARM TO HANDS & FOOT | — |
| Commercial | ||
| Price (USD) (values differ) | $25,000 | $400,000 |
| Price Tier (values differ) | 20-40K | — |
| Pricing Model (values differ) | capex | — |
| Delivery Lead Time (values differ) | 2 mo | — |
| Applications (values differ) | logistics, healthcare, domestic use | research |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: Stair Climbing, Arm Reach, Grip Strength, Manipulation Repeatability, Tool Use, Foundation Models, Teleoperation, Charging Time, Charging Method, Avg Power Consumption, Force-Limited Arms, Fall Recovery, Fall Detection Response, Emergency Stops, Human Detection Method, Safe Speed Near Humans, Simulation Platforms, Air-Gap Capable, MTBF, Task Success Rate, Noise Level, RaaS / Month, Developer Unit Price, Warranty, Production Pilots
best in categoryweakest in categoryvalues differ
Trade-offs at a glance
Frequently asked
Who makes Optimus and PR2?
Optimus is made by Tesla, based in US. PR2 is made by Willow Garage, based in US.
When were Optimus and PR2 launched?
Optimus launched in 2022. PR2 launched in 2010.
How much does Optimus cost compared to PR2?
Optimus is listed at $25,000. PR2 is listed at $400,000.
How do Optimus and PR2 compare on the Robolist Product Score?
Optimus scores 69/100. PR2 scores 48/100. The Product Score blends specs, pricing transparency, verified deployments, and independent media coverage — see methodology for the full breakdown.
What is the payload difference between Optimus and PR2?
Optimus carries up to 68 kg. PR2 carries up to 1.8 kg.
Are Optimus and PR2 in the same category?
Both robots are classified as Humanoid on Robolist. Filters and ranking treat them as direct alternatives.
What is the realistic total cost of ownership for Humanoid robots?
Hardware cost is one input. Humanoid TCO also includes integration, training, downtime, and end-of-life. Our breakdown: Humanoid TCO: Hardware, Cloud Subscriptions, and the Cost of Teleop Time.
What should a buyer ask vendors when choosing between Optimus and PR2?
Spec sheets only show part of the story. Useful vendor questions cover support, lifecycle, integration cost, and references. We have a buyer-focused checklist: Vendor Selection for Humanoids: The 10 Questions You Must Ask.
Going deeper — picking the right robot
Humanoid TCO: Hardware, Cloud Subscriptions, and the Cost of Teleop Time
8 min readHumanoid Robots
Vendor Selection for Humanoids: The 10 Questions You Must Ask
10 min readHumanoid Robots
Running a Humanoid Pilot: Scope, Success Criteria, and Exit Options
9 min readHumanoid Robots
Build vs buy vs lease: which model fits a first deployment
8 min readChoosing Your First Robot
The hidden specs vendors hope you'll miss
10 min readReading the Spec Sheet
About this comparison
Optimus vs PR2 compares two robots in the humanoid category. All data is sourced from manufacturer spec sheets, verified deployments, and third-party filings; see our methodology for how the Robolist Product Score is calculated.