Tesla Inc. recently presented its humanoid robot, known as Optimus, to the public at a Christmas market in Berlin, where the machine demonstrated its ability to interact with visitors by serving popcorn and handing out holiday items.

The event, held at the LP12 shopping centre’s festive market, drew long queues as the robot picked up small popcorn boxes, filled them and handed them directly to attendees, while also waving to the crowd.

Optimus is part of Tesla’s broader strategic focus on robotics and artificial intelligence, which Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk has described as a central pillar of the company’s future beyond electric vehicles.

Musk has repeatedly said that robots like Optimus could one day undertake repetitive or dangerous tasks, freeing humans for more complex work, and has suggested the technology could contribute to transformative economic and social impacts.

The demonstration in Berlin, while visually striking, raised questions about the degree of autonomy with which the robot operated, with observers noting that it was unclear whether Optimus acted entirely by itself or with some level of remote control during the performance.

Tesla has not provided detailed technical clarification regarding the robot’s level of autonomy at this event.

Optimus is designed to stand on two legs, handle objects with fine motor skills and navigate environments, with Tesla aiming to bring versions of the product to market in the near future.

The company has suggested that production of Optimus could begin by the end of next year, with a target retail price aimed at expanding accessibility.

The appearance of Optimus at a widely attended festive location underscores both Tesla’s promotional efforts and the public’s fascination with humanoid robotics.

As Tesla continues development, robotics remains a forward-looking element of its long-term technological vision, even as questions persist about the practical timelines and capabilities of the technology relative to broader industry competition.