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Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced that the electric car manufacturer will begin producing and using humanoid robots as early as next year. In a social media post, Musk revealed that these robots, named Optimus, will initially be deployed within Tesla's own operations, with plans to start selling them commercially by 2026.
Musk previously indicated that Optimus would be operational in Tesla factories by the end of this year. In his recent update on X, formerly known as Twitter, he reiterated the timeline: "Tesla will have genuinely useful humanoid robots in low production for Tesla internal use next year and, hopefully, high production for other companies in 2026."
This announcement comes just a day before Tesla is set to release its latest financial results. Following the news, Tesla's shares rose by over 5% in Monday's trading session in New York.
The company's ambition with Optimus is to create an "autonomous humanoid robot" capable of performing "unsafe, repetitive, or boring tasks," Musk said. Tesla aims to mass-produce these robots and sell them for less than $20,000 (£17,900) each.
Musk, known for his ambitious timelines, has not always met his projected deadlines. In 2019, he confidently predicted that Tesla would have self-driving taxis on the road by the following year, a goal that remains unfulfilled. Earlier this year, Musk announced the unveiling of the long-awaited robotaxi for August 8, but recently suggested a delay, citing a redesign request for the vehicle's front end. Bloomberg News reported the event might be postponed to October, with Musk adding, "The extra time allows us to show off a few other things."
Tesla's pivot towards advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, and humanoid robots comes at a time of slowing demand for electric vehicles. Other companies, including Honda and Boston Dynamics, are also developing their own humanoid robots, indicating a growing interest and competition in the field.
As Tesla ventures into robotics, the market eagerly anticipates how these advancements will integrate into both industrial and consumer applications, potentially revolutionizing the way repetitive and hazardous tasks are managed.
