Optimus vs RoboThespian
Side-by-side comparison of Optimus (Tesla) and RoboThespian (Engineered Arts) — specs, pricing, Robolist Product Score, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
Optimize comparison for buyer
Optimized for Warehousing & Logistics buyers. Priority specs lifted to the top and marked with a target.
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- OptimusUnited States
- RoboThespianUnited Kingdom
Year First Available
- Optimus2022
- RoboThespian2011
Verified Deployments
- Optimus0 Deployments
- RoboThespian0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price Range (USD)
- Optimus$25,000
- RoboThespian$88,000
Battery / Shift Runtime
- Optimus8 hrs
- RoboThespian—
Availability Status
- OptimusACTIVE
- RoboThespianACTIVE
Physical Form Factor
Height
- Optimus173 mm
- RoboThespian1775 mm
Weight
- Optimus25.4 kg
- RoboThespian44 kg
Mobility Type
- Optimusbipedal
- RoboThespianbipedal
Humanoid Subtype
- Optimusfull bipedal
- RoboThespianfull bipedal
Walking Speed
- Optimus2.2 m/s
- RoboThespian—
Running Capable
- Optimusrun capable
- RoboThespian—
Terrain
- Optimusflat indoor, uneven outdoor
- RoboThespianboth
Payload & Dexterity
Payload
- Optimus9 kg
- RoboThespian—
Payload (Peak)
- Optimus68 kg
- RoboThespian—
Total DOF
- Optimus75
- RoboThespian27
Arm DOF
- Optimus28
- RoboThespian—
Hand DOF
- Optimus22
- RoboThespian—
Bimanual Coordination
- Optimusfull bimanual
- RoboThespian—
Compute & AI
Onboard Compute
- OptimusTesla AI5 chip
- RoboThespianTritium
Compute Platform
- OptimusTesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) computer
- RoboThespian—
Programming
- Optimuscode_python, proprietary_app
- RoboThespiantouchscreen, web browser, API
Battery & Power
Runtime
- Optimus8 hrs
- RoboThespian—
Battery Capacity
- Optimus2.3 kWh
- RoboThespian—
Software
SDK Languages
- Optimuscode_python, proprietary_app
- RoboThespiantouchscreen, web browser, API
ROS Support
- Optimusros2 vendor
- RoboThespian—
Open API
- OptimusYes
- RoboThespianYes
Reliability
Deployment Maturity
- Optimusprototype
- RoboThespiancommercial
IP Rating
- OptimusIP68 FOREARM TO HANDS & FOOT
- RoboThespian—
Commercial
Price (USD)
- Optimus$25,000
- RoboThespian$88,000
Price Tier
- Optimus20-40K
- RoboThespian—
Pricing Model
- Optimuscapex
- RoboThespian—
Delivery Lead Time
- Optimus2 mo
- RoboThespian—
Warranty
- Optimus—
- RoboThespian1 yrs
Applications
- Optimuslogistics, healthcare, domestic use
- RoboThespianentertainment, education, corporate events, exhibitions
| ||
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | United States | United Kingdom |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2022 | 2011 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price Range (USD) (values differ) | $25,000 | $88,000 |
| Battery / Shift Runtime (priority for Warehousing & Logistics buyers) (values differ) | 8 hrs | — |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Physical Form Factor | ||
| Height (values differ) | 173 mm | 1775 mm |
| Weight (values differ) | 25.4 kg | 44 kg |
| 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 | both |
| Payload & Dexterity | ||
| Payload (values differ) | 9 kg | — |
| Payload (Peak) (values differ) | 68 kg | — |
| Total DOF (values differ) | 75 | 27 |
| Arm DOF (values differ) | 28 | — |
| Hand DOF (values differ) | 22 | — |
| Bimanual Coordination (values differ) | full bimanual | — |
| Compute & AI | ||
| Onboard Compute (values differ) | Tesla AI5 chip | Tritium |
| Compute Platform (values differ) | Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) computer | — |
| Programming (values differ) | code_python, proprietary_app | touchscreen, web browser, API |
| Battery & Power | ||
| Runtime (values differ) | 8 hrs | — |
| Battery Capacity (values differ) | 2.3 kWh | — |
| Software | ||
| SDK Languages (values differ) | code_python, proprietary_app | touchscreen, web browser, API |
| ROS Support (values differ) | ros2 vendor | — |
| Open API | Yes | Yes |
| Reliability | ||
| Deployment Maturity (values differ) | prototype | commercial |
| IP Rating (values differ) | IP68 FOREARM TO HANDS & FOOT | — |
| Commercial | ||
| Price (USD) (values differ) | $25,000 | $88,000 |
| Price Tier (values differ) | 20-40K | — |
| Pricing Model (values differ) | capex | — |
| Delivery Lead Time (values differ) | 2 mo | — |
| Warranty (values differ) | — | 1 yrs |
| Applications (values differ) | logistics, healthcare, domestic use | entertainment, education, corporate events, exhibitions |
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, VLM Capable, Foundation Models, Imitation Learning, Teleoperation, Charging Time, Charging Method, Battery Swap, 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, Production Pilots
best in categoryweakest in categoryvalues differ
Trade-offs at a glance
Frequently asked
Who makes Optimus and RoboThespian?
Optimus is made by Tesla, based in US. RoboThespian is made by Engineered Arts, based in GB.
When were Optimus and RoboThespian launched?
Optimus launched in 2022. RoboThespian launched in 2011.
How much does Optimus cost compared to RoboThespian?
Optimus is listed at $25,000. RoboThespian is listed at $88,000.
How do Optimus and RoboThespian compare on the Robolist Product Score?
Optimus scores 69/100. RoboThespian scores 60/100. The Product Score blends specs, pricing transparency, verified deployments, and independent media coverage — see methodology for the full breakdown.
Are Optimus and RoboThespian 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 RoboThespian?
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 RoboThespian 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.