Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced that the electric car manufacturer will begin producing and utilizing humanoid robots starting next year. In a social media post on X (formerly known as Twitter), Musk revealed that the robots, named Optimus, will initially be used within Tesla’s own operations, with plans to commence sales in 2026.
The tech mogul had previously indicated that Optimus would be operational in Tesla factories by the end of this year. Tesla aims to create an “autonomous humanoid robot” capable of handling “unsafe, repetitive, or boring tasks,” with a target price of under $20,000 (£17,900) per unit.
Musk is known for setting ambitious timelines for his innovations, which he has not always met. For instance, in 2019, he confidently predicted that Tesla would have self-driving taxis by the following year, a goal yet to be realized. Earlier this year, Musk stated that the long-anticipated robotaxi would be unveiled on August 8. However, he recently suggested the event might be delayed to October, citing changes to the vehicle’s design and the need for additional features.
The announcement of the humanoid robots came just a day before Tesla’s latest financial results, with the company’s shares surging by over 5% in Monday’s New York trading session.
In the competitive landscape of humanoid robotics, Tesla joins other prominent firms like Honda and Boston Dynamics, which are also advancing their own robotic technologies.
Tesla’s increasing focus on artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, and robotics comes amidst a period of slowing demand for electric vehicles. Musk’s vision for Tesla’s future heavily leans on these innovative technologies to maintain and expand the company’s market leadership.
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