Tesla’s stock experienced an increase on Monday, driven by Elon Musk’s ongoing promotion of the company’s humanoid robots. Musk took to X to announce that Tesla plans to have genuinely useful humanoid robots in limited production for internal use next year, with hopes for broader production for external companies by 2026.
During Tesla’s annual meeting in April, Musk indicated that the Optimus robot could begin limited production in 2025, projecting that there would be over 1,000 robots operational at Tesla by the end of that year. Currently, two robots have been deployed on the factory floor, though the specific tasks they perform have not been disclosed.
Musk previously suggested that the introduction of robots could potentially add $20 trillion to Tesla’s market capitalization. These robots are not expected to be commercially available until late 2025, with anticipated prices ranging from $20,000 to $30,000.
There remains ambiguity around Musk’s assertion that the robots will be “genuinely useful.” Previous demonstrations have drawn skepticism; in May, Tesla faced criticism for a video in which an Optimus robot appeared to fold a shirt but was allegedly controlled by someone off-screen.
Tesla has a history of what some view as exaggerated marketing tactics, having initially showcased its Optimus robot project in 2021 with a person dressed in a costume performing a dance.
MKM analyst Craig Irwin commented on the challenges Tesla faces in this field, noting the advancement of competitors like Boston Dynamics and questioning the feasibility of producing a sentient humanoid robot by 2025. He remarked, “What they’ve shown us is really state of the art for 2014.”
Tesla will also be competing with other companies in the humanoid robot space, including Hyundai’s Boston Dynamics, Honda, and Apptronik. Additionally, Chinese manufacturers Dongfeng Motor and Nio are experimenting with humanoid robots created by UBTech Robotics on their assembly lines, while BMW has been utilizing Silicon Valley-based Figure’s robots at its facilities since January.
On Monday, Tesla’s stock rose by more than 3%, following Musk’s remarks. Year-to-date, shares have remained relatively stable after experiencing a significant recovery in the past two months. Tesla is set to announce its second-quarter earnings on Tuesday, where Musk is anticipated to provide updates regarding the delayed robotaxi launch.