Tesla leaks Optimus Gen 3 robot with human-like hands

Images concealed within the code of Tesla's Android application have exposed what appears to be the design of Optimus Gen 3, the company's next-generation humanoid robot. The leaked images display Gen 2.5 and Gen 3 models side by side, though Tesla has not officially confirmed the authenticity or final design.

The most striking change appears in the forearms, which look noticeably thicker, paired with slimmer, human-like hands. According to reports, each hand may feature 22 degrees of freedom and approximately 50 actuators. Some motors and mechanisms are likely positioned in the forearm rather than the hand itself, mirroring human anatomy, to enable more compact, flexible, and precise fingers.

Some of the diagrams accidentally published (Photo: Social media)

One rendering shows the robot waving, potentially hinting at a future interface within the Tesla app that would allow users to monitor the robot's status, assign tasks, or control it remotely.

The leak arrives as Tesla prepares for production: in a July shareholder update, the company disclosed it is installing initial production lines for Gen 3, targeting the start of manufacturing later in 2026. Additional reports have pointed to component orders for thousands of units and supplier certification in China.

Despite Elon Musk's ambitious projections of eventually producing up to a million robots annually, Tesla's central challenge will be transitioning from demonstrations to a reliable, practical product affordable enough for large-scale commercial production.