Tesla’s stock saw an increase on Monday, following Elon Musk’s remarks about the potential of the company’s humanoid robots.
On social media platform X, Musk stated, “Tesla will have genuinely useful humanoid robots in low production for internal use next year and, hopefully, high production for other companies in 2026.”
Earlier in April, during Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting, Musk announced plans for the Optimus robots to enter limited production by 2025, projecting that over 1,000 units could be operational within the company by the end of that year. Currently, two prototype robots are in use at the factory, although the specific tasks they perform have not been disclosed.
Musk previously suggested that the introduction of these robots could potentially add $20 trillion to Tesla’s market capitalization, while actual sales of the robots are not anticipated until late 2025, with prices expected to range between $20,000 and $30,000.
However, it remains ambiguous regarding what Musk means by “genuinely useful.” Previous demonstrations have raised skepticism; for instance, in May, Tesla faced criticism for a video showing an Optimus robot folding a shirt that appeared to be manipulated by an operator hidden from view.
This situation is not the first instance of skepticism surrounding Tesla’s robotic ambitions. The company infamously launched its Optimus robot project in 2021 by showcasing a dancer in a robot suit.
MKM analyst Craig Irwin expressed doubt regarding Tesla’s potential to compete with established companies like Boston Dynamics. He pointed out on Yahoo Finance that the technology displayed by Tesla seems outdated by current standards.
In addition to Hyundai’s Boston Dynamics, Tesla will face competition from Honda, Apptronik, and Chinese manufacturers like Dongfeng Motor and Nio, which are exploring humanoid robotics from UBTech Robotics. BMW has also integrated humanoid robots from Silicon Valley-based Figure into its operations since January.
Meanwhile, following Musk’s comments, Tesla’s shares rose more than 3% on Monday. Year-to-date, the stock remains relatively unchanged but has seen significant recovery in recent months.
Tesla is set to release its second-quarter earnings on Tuesday, where Musk is expected to provide updates on the much-anticipated robotaxi program.