Billionaire Elon Musk is planning to send humanoid robots called Optimus to Mars by the end of next year.
The SpaceX and Tesla founder posted on social media platform X on Thursday that the robot would blast off aboard Starship, a rocket that the aerospace company has been developing for deep space missions. Tesla is behind the robot, which uses advanced artificial intelligence to perform tasks, including walking, lifting and climbing stairs.
“Starship will hopefully depart for Mars at the end of next year with Optimus explorer robots,” he said.
Mr Musk, who has been campaigning heavily to make humanity “a multi-planetary species”, first revealed these plans on March 15 on an X post. “If those landings go well, then human landings may start as soon as 2029 – although 2031 is more likely,” he said.
SpaceX has been developing the powerful rocket for several years, with eight orbital test flights so far that are helping the company edge closer to starting commercial operations of the vehicle.
Starship is a two-stage launch vehicle, including the Super Heavy booster and the Starship spacecraft, which together can produce 3,991 tonnes of thrust – 15 per cent more than Nasa’s Apollo Moon rocket Saturn V.
In the latest test flight on March 6, the booster successfully delivered the spacecraft to space and returned for a catch by mechanical arms on a launch tower. The spacecraft, however, was lost after 9 minutes and 30 seconds after the lift-off.
Mr Musk has ambitions to send one million people to Mars, stating that the Red Planet is “critical to the long-term survival of consciousness”. Sending robots there first could help prepare space agencies for crewed missions to Mars, as they can operate in harsh environments.
A robot could help identify potential hazards and scout locations for human settlement. On its website, Tesla described Optimus as capable of performing “unsafe, repetitive or boring tasks”.
“Achieving that end goal requires building the software stacks that enable balance, navigation perception and interaction with the physical world,” the company said.
Teaching in coronavirus times
The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
All the Money in the World
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Charlie Plummer, Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Williams, Christopher Plummer
Four stars
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The five pillars of Islam
MWTC
Tickets start from Dh100 for adults and are now on sale at www.ticketmaster.ae and Virgin Megastores across the UAE. Three-day and travel packages are also available at 20 per cent discount.
Zodi%20%26%20Tehu%3A%20Princes%20Of%20The%20Desert
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEric%20Barbier%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYoussef%20Hajdi%2C%20Nadia%20Benzakour%2C%20Yasser%20Drief%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
THE BIO
Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain
Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude
Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE
Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally
Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
