Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced on Monday that the company will begin production of humanoid robots for internal use starting next year, with plans to ramp up availability for other companies by 2026, as outlined in a social media post.
Earlier projections by Musk indicated that the robots, named Optimus, would initially perform tasks in Tesla’s factories by the end of 2024, with potential sales expected by late 2025.
Humanoid robots have been under development for years by companies like Japan’s Honda and Hyundai Motor’s Boston Dynamics. These advancements aim to address potential labor shortages and handle repetitive, hazardous, or tedious tasks in industries such as logistics, warehousing, and manufacturing.
Musk, known for making ambitious promises to Wall Street, faced setbacks in the past, including unfulfilled pledges regarding Tesla’s network of autonomous “robotaxi” cars by 2020.
Recently, Musk acknowledged delays in the robotaxi project, citing necessary design modifications. Tesla had introduced its first-generation Optimus robot, nicknamed Bumblebee, in September 2022, followed by a demonstration this year of the second-generation model folding a T-shirt at Tesla’s facilities.
Amid a slowdown in electric vehicle demand, which accounts for over 80% of Tesla’s quarterly revenue, Musk has shifted focus towards artificial intelligence, autonomous driving software, robotaxis, and advancing the Optimus robot.
Tesla is expected to announce its second-quarter results on Tuesday, with attention from Wall Street on both financial performance, anticipating margins to hit a five-year low, and Musk’s ambitious plans for robotaxis and AI products. As of Monday premarket trading, Tesla shares showed a modest 1% increase.
