Tesla’s stock saw an increase on Monday, driven by Elon Musk’s continued emphasis on the potential of the company’s humanoid robots. Musk stated on X that Tesla is aiming for limited production of “genuinely useful humanoid robots” for internal use next year, with hopes for higher production available to other companies by 2026.
During Tesla’s annual meeting in April, Musk indicated that the Optimus robots would begin limited production in 2025, predicting that more than 1,000 units would be operational at Tesla by the end of that year. Currently, the company has two robots on the factory floor, though their specific tasks remain undisclosed.
Musk has also highlighted a theoretical scenario where the robots could contribute an additional $20 trillion to Tesla’s market value. However, a commercial launch for the robots is not expected until late 2025, with projected prices ranging from $20,000 to $30,000.
The definition of “genuinely useful” remains vague, especially considering previous product demonstrations have faced skepticism. For instance, in May, a video showcasing an Optimus robot folding laundry was accused of being manipulated by an off-screen operator. Tesla’s initial reveal of the Optimus robot in 2021 included a promotional stunt featuring a dancer in a robot suit.
Analysts have expressed doubts about Tesla’s ability to compete with established players in the field, such as Boston Dynamics, Honda, and Apptronik. Notably, several Chinese automakers are experimenting with humanoid robots developed by UBTech Robotics in their factories, while BMW has integrated robots from Figure into its operations since January.
On the heels of Musk’s remarks, Tesla’s shares rose over 3% on Monday, and the stock remains relatively stable year-to-date following a significant recovery in recent months. Tesla is set to announce its second-quarter earnings on Tuesday, where Musk is anticipated to provide updates on the delayed robotaxi project.