We met Tesla Optimus on its first trip to Europe and one thing it did caught us off guard
Published on Dec 15, 2025 at 7:48 AM (UTC-5)
by Daisy Edwards
Last updated on Dec 15, 2025 at 7:48 AM (UTC-5)
Edited by
Mason Jones
We got up close with Tesla’s humanoid robot on its European debut, and it did something none of us saw coming.
Tesla’s Optimus robot went on a highly anticipated trip across the pond and spent some time at the Tesla Westfield dealership in West London.
People came from all over the country to see the robot in action, with some beginning to line up to catch a glimpse from as early as 6:45 am.
The very popular robot blew us away with its dexterity, motor skills, and friendliness, but there was one special thing it did, which showed just how technologically advanced it truly was.
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Tesla Optimus crosses the pond and makes a star debut in Europe
Optimus was there to blow minds, but also to serve popcorn, as well as show its capabilities when it came to interacting with his human counterparts.
It greeted adults with a wave, blew us a kiss, and it seemed to match little kids’ energy, somehow registering children and interacting with them more animatedly.
But it was when we stepped up to get our serving of popcorn and interact with it when we really got the chance to see it in action.
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How Optimus surprised us
As we were waiting for our moment to meet Optimus, the robot singled us out in the line and acknowledged that a photo was being taken – the robot pointed and nodded to the camera in a distinctly human way.
If that wasn’t impressive enough, when he was presented with our empty paper box to be filled with popcorn, Optimus put it down to readjust and pick it up more easily.
These two actions were distinctly human in nature and showed just how technologically advanced it was.
Even once the robot had gone through the motions of serving the popcorn, it acknowledged that another photo was being taken of it and posed accordingly.
To celebrate Christmas, the robot was handing out Christmas decorations like the most technologically advanced santa ever.
We left the meet and greet with a Tesla bauble, a new robot friend, and a newfound appreciation for the technological advancements that the tech industry has gone through in recent years.
Optimus will be heading to another city in Europe, Berlin, soon, but will be heading back to America for Christmas first.
Daisy is a technology and automotive journalist covering artificial intelligence, consumer tech, Apple news, cryptocurrency, emerging technologies, and transportation innovation. Since joining the team in 2025, she has reported on everything from AI-powered startups and major iOS updates to viral car stories and the latest developments shaping transportation and the digital economy. Drawing on her background in automotive journalism and a degree in History and Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London, Daisy specializes in breaking down complex topics into clear, engaging reporting for a global audience. Her work spans cutting-edge technology, innovative vehicles, and the people driving change across both industries. Daisy has gained first-hand access to some of the world's most talked-about technologies and innovators, including meeting Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot during its first European appearance in London. She has also discussed the future of space exploration with an astronaut, bringing unique insights and real-world perspectives to her coverage of emerging technology.
