Optimus vs Valkyrie
Side-by-side comparison of Optimus (Tesla) and Valkyrie (NASA) — specs, pricing, Robolist Product Score, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
Optimize comparison for buyer
Optimized for Healthcare & Hospitals buyers. Priority specs lifted to the top and marked with a target.
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- OptimusUnited States
- Valkyrie—
Year First Available
- Optimus2022
- Valkyrie2013
Verified Deployments
- Optimus0 Deployments
- Valkyrie0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price Range (USD)
- Optimus$25,000
- Valkyrie$2,450
Battery / Shift Runtime
- Optimus8 hrs
- Valkyrie1 hrs
Availability Status
- OptimusACTIVE
- ValkyrieACTIVE
Physical Form Factor
Height
- Optimus173 mm
- Valkyrie180 mm
Weight
- Optimus25.4 kg
- Valkyrie136 kg
Mobility Type
- Optimusbipedal
- Valkyriebipedal
Humanoid Subtype
- Optimusfull bipedal
- Valkyriefull bipedal
Walking Speed
- Optimus2.2 m/s
- Valkyrie—
Running Capable
- Optimusrun capable
- Valkyrie—
Terrain
- Optimusflat indoor, uneven outdoor
- Valkyrierough_indoor, outdoor_unstructured
Payload & Dexterity
Payload
- Optimus9 kg
- Valkyrie—
Payload (Peak)
- Optimus68 kg
- Valkyrie—
Total DOF
- Optimus75
- Valkyrie32
Arm DOF
- Optimus28
- Valkyrie7
Hand DOF
- Optimus22
- Valkyrie6
Bimanual Coordination
- Optimusfull bimanual
- Valkyrie—
Compute & AI
Onboard Compute
- OptimusTesla AI5 chip
- ValkyrieHigh-performance processors
Compute Platform
- OptimusTesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) computer
- ValkyrieIntel Core i7
Teleoperation
- Optimus—
- Valkyrievr_headset
Programming
- Optimuscode_python, proprietary_app
- Valkyrieteleoperation
Battery & Power
Runtime
- Optimus8 hrs
- Valkyrie1 hrs
Battery Capacity
- Optimus2.3 kWh
- Valkyrie1.8 kWh
Charging Method
- Optimus—
- Valkyrietethered
Battery Swap
- Optimus—
- ValkyrieYes
Safety
Force-Limited Arms
- Optimus—
- ValkyrieYes
Software
SDK Languages
- Optimuscode_python, proprietary_app
- Valkyrieteleoperation
ROS Support
- Optimusros2 vendor
- Valkyrieros2 community
Open API
- OptimusYes
- ValkyrieYes
Reliability
IP Rating
- OptimusIP68 FOREARM TO HANDS & FOOT
- Valkyrie—
Deployment Maturity
- Optimusprototype
- Valkyrieprototype
Commercial
Price (USD)
- Optimus$25,000
- Valkyrie$2,450
Price Tier
- Optimus20-40K
- Valkyrie10-20K
Pricing Model
- Optimuscapex
- Valkyriepurchase
Delivery Lead Time
- Optimus2 mo
- Valkyrie—
Applications
- Optimuslogistics, healthcare, domestic use
- Valkyriehazardous_env
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | United States | — |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2022 | 2013 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price Range (USD) (values differ) | $25,000 | $2,450 |
| Battery / Shift Runtime (values differ) | 8 hrs | 1 hrs |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Physical Form Factor | ||
| Height (values differ) | 173 mm | 180 mm |
| Weight (values differ) | 25.4 kg | 136 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 | rough_indoor, outdoor_unstructured |
| Payload & Dexterity | ||
| Payload (values differ) | 9 kg | — |
| Payload (Peak) (values differ) | 68 kg | — |
| Total DOF (values differ) | 75 | 32 |
| Arm DOF (values differ) | 28 | 7 |
| Hand DOF (values differ) | 22 | 6 |
| Bimanual Coordination (values differ) | full bimanual | — |
| Compute & AI | ||
| Onboard Compute (values differ) | Tesla AI5 chip | High-performance processors |
| Compute Platform (values differ) | Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) computer | Intel Core i7 |
| Teleoperation (values differ) | — | vr_headset |
| Programming (values differ) | code_python, proprietary_app | teleoperation |
| Battery & Power | ||
| Runtime (values differ) | 8 hrs | 1 hrs |
| Battery Capacity (values differ) | 2.3 kWh | 1.8 kWh |
| Charging Method (values differ) | — | tethered |
| Battery Swap (values differ) | — | Yes |
| Safety | ||
| Force-Limited Arms (values differ) | — | Yes |
| Software | ||
| SDK Languages (values differ) | code_python, proprietary_app | teleoperation |
| ROS Support (values differ) | ros2 vendor | ros2 community |
| Open API | Yes | Yes |
| Reliability | ||
| IP Rating (priority for Healthcare & Hospitals buyers) (values differ) | IP68 FOREARM TO HANDS & FOOT | — |
| Deployment Maturity | prototype | prototype |
| Commercial | ||
| Price (USD) (values differ) | $25,000 | $2,450 |
| Price Tier (values differ) | 20-40K | 10-20K |
| Pricing Model (values differ) | capex | purchase |
| Delivery Lead Time (values differ) | 2 mo | — |
| Applications (values differ) | logistics, healthcare, domestic use | hazardous_env |
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, Charging Time, Avg Power Consumption, 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 Valkyrie?
Optimus is made by Tesla, based in US. Valkyrie is made by NASA.
When were Optimus and Valkyrie launched?
Optimus launched in 2022. Valkyrie launched in 2013.
How much does Optimus cost compared to Valkyrie?
Optimus is listed at $25,000. Valkyrie is listed at $2,450.
How do Optimus and Valkyrie compare on the Robolist Product Score?
Optimus scores 69/100. Valkyrie scores 46/100. The Product Score blends specs, pricing transparency, verified deployments, and independent media coverage — see methodology for the full breakdown.
Are Optimus and Valkyrie 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 Valkyrie?
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 Valkyrie 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.