Optimus vs Zeroth M1
Side-by-side comparison of Optimus (Tesla) and Zeroth M1 (Zeroth Robotics) — specs, pricing, Robolist Product Score, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
Optimize comparison for buyer
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- OptimusUnited States
- Zeroth M1United States
Year First Available
- Optimus2022
- Zeroth M12026
Verified Deployments
- Optimus0 Deployments
- Zeroth M10 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price Range (USD)
- Optimus$25,000
- Zeroth M1$2,899
Battery / Shift Runtime
- Optimus8 hrs
- Zeroth M12 hrs
Availability Status
- OptimusACTIVE
- Zeroth M1ACTIVE
Physical Form Factor
Height
- Optimus173 mm
- Zeroth M138.1 cm
Weight
- Optimus25.4 kg
- Zeroth M128 kg
Mobility Type
- Optimusbipedal
- Zeroth M1bipedal
Humanoid Subtype
- Optimusfull bipedal
- Zeroth M1full bipedal
Walking Speed
- Optimus2.2 m/s
- Zeroth M11 m/s
Running Capable
- Optimusrun capable
- Zeroth M1—
Terrain
- Optimusflat indoor, uneven outdoor
- Zeroth M1flat_indoor, mild_incline
Payload & Dexterity
Payload
- Optimus9 kg
- Zeroth M120 kg
Payload (Peak)
- Optimus68 kg
- Zeroth M1—
Total DOF
- Optimus75
- Zeroth M16
Arm DOF
- Optimus28
- Zeroth M12
Hand DOF
- Optimus22
- Zeroth M1—
Bimanual Coordination
- Optimusfull bimanual
- Zeroth M1—
Compute & AI
Onboard Compute
- OptimusTesla AI5 chip
- Zeroth M18-core Horizon Sunrise Series
Compute Platform
- OptimusTesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) computer
- Zeroth M1—
Programming
- Optimuscode_python, proprietary_app
- Zeroth M1no_code_gui
Battery & Power
Runtime
- Optimus8 hrs
- Zeroth M12 hrs
Battery Capacity
- Optimus2.3 kWh
- Zeroth M1—
Charging Method
- Optimus—
- Zeroth M1tethered
Software
SDK Languages
- Optimuscode_python, proprietary_app
- Zeroth M1no_code_gui
ROS Support
- Optimusros2 vendor
- Zeroth M1—
Open API
- OptimusYes
- Zeroth M1—
Reliability
Deployment Maturity
- Optimusprototype
- Zeroth M1prototype
IP Rating
- OptimusIP68 FOREARM TO HANDS & FOOT
- Zeroth M1—
Commercial
Price (USD)
- Optimus$25,000
- Zeroth M1$2,899
Price Tier
- Optimus20-40K
- Zeroth M120-40K
Pricing Model
- Optimuscapex
- Zeroth M1purchase
Developer Unit Price
- Optimus—
- Zeroth M1$89,999
Delivery Lead Time
- Optimus2 mo
- Zeroth M1—
Applications
- Optimuslogistics, healthcare, domestic use
- Zeroth M1eldercare_assistance, education, consumer_companion
| ||
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country | United States | United States |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2022 | 2026 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price Range (USD) (values differ) | $25,000 | $2,899 |
| Battery / Shift Runtime (values differ) | 8 hrs | 2 hrs |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Physical Form Factor | ||
| Height (values differ) | 173 mm | 38.1 cm |
| Weight (values differ) | 25.4 kg | 28 kg |
| Mobility Type | bipedal | bipedal |
| Humanoid Subtype | full bipedal | full bipedal |
| Walking Speed (values differ) | 2.2 m/s | 1 m/s |
| Running Capable (values differ) | run capable | — |
| Terrain (values differ) | flat indoor, uneven outdoor | flat_indoor, mild_incline |
| Payload & Dexterity | ||
| Payload (values differ) | 9 kg | 20 kg |
| Payload (Peak) (values differ) | 68 kg | — |
| Total DOF (values differ) | 75 | 6 |
| Arm DOF (values differ) | 28 | 2 |
| Hand DOF (values differ) | 22 | — |
| Bimanual Coordination (values differ) | full bimanual | — |
| Compute & AI | ||
| Onboard Compute (values differ) | Tesla AI5 chip | 8-core Horizon Sunrise Series |
| Compute Platform (values differ) | Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) computer | — |
| Programming (values differ) | code_python, proprietary_app | no_code_gui |
| Battery & Power | ||
| Runtime (values differ) | 8 hrs | 2 hrs |
| Battery Capacity (values differ) | 2.3 kWh | — |
| Charging Method (values differ) | — | tethered |
| Software | ||
| SDK Languages (values differ) | code_python, proprietary_app | no_code_gui |
| ROS Support (values differ) | ros2 vendor | — |
| Open API (values differ) | Yes | — |
| Reliability | ||
| Deployment Maturity | prototype | prototype |
| IP Rating (values differ) | IP68 FOREARM TO HANDS & FOOT | — |
| Commercial | ||
| Price (USD) (values differ) | $25,000 | $2,899 |
| Price Tier | 20-40K | 20-40K |
| Pricing Model (values differ) | capex | purchase |
| Developer Unit Price (values differ) | — | $89,999 |
| Delivery Lead Time (values differ) | 2 mo | — |
| Applications (values differ) | logistics, healthcare, domestic use | eldercare_assistance, education, consumer_companion |
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, 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, Warranty, Production Pilots
best in categoryweakest in categoryvalues differ
Trade-offs at a glance
Frequently asked
Who makes Optimus and Zeroth M1?
Optimus is made by Tesla, based in US. Zeroth M1 is made by Zeroth Robotics, based in US.
When were Optimus and Zeroth M1 launched?
Optimus launched in 2022. Zeroth M1 launched in 2026.
How much does Optimus cost compared to Zeroth M1?
Optimus is listed at $25,000. Zeroth M1 is listed at $2,899.
How do Optimus and Zeroth M1 compare on the Robolist Product Score?
Optimus scores 69/100. Zeroth M1 scores 56/100. 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 Zeroth M1?
Optimus carries up to 68 kg. Zeroth M1 carries up to 20 kg.
Are Optimus and Zeroth M1 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 Zeroth M1?
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 Zeroth M1 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.