Tesla’s stock experienced a notable increase on Monday, driven by Elon Musk’s continued discussions regarding the potential value of the company’s humanoid robots.
Musk stated on X that Tesla plans to have genuinely useful humanoid robots in limited production for internal use by next year, with hopes for high production for external companies by 2026. Earlier in April, during Tesla’s annual meeting, Musk had indicated that the Optimus robot would enter limited production in 2025, predicting that more than 1,000 robots could be operational at Tesla by year-end. Currently, two robots are reportedly present on the factory floor, although their specific roles remain undisclosed.
Musk has also suggested that the humanoid robots could contribute significantly to Tesla’s market value, estimating an addition of $20 trillion. However, these robots are not anticipated to be available for purchase until late 2025, with expected prices ranging from $20,000 to $30,000.
The definition of “genuinely useful” robots remains somewhat ambiguous, especially considering past product demonstrations that have raised skepticism. In May, Tesla was accused of misleadingly presenting a video showing an Optimus robot folding a shirt, which was actually operated by a person off-screen. Tesla has a history of unconventional promotional tactics, including the debut of its Optimus robot project in 2021, which featured an individual dancing in a robot costume.
Analyst Craig Irwin from Roth MKM criticized the ambitious timeline, remarking on the challenges Tesla faces in matching the advancements made by competitors such as Boston Dynamics. He noted that Tesla’s presentations seem to lag behind current technological standards.
In addition to competition from Boston Dynamics and Hyundai Motor, Tesla is also contending with Honda and Apptronik. Chinese carmakers like Dongfeng Motor and Nio are exploring humanoid robots created by UBTech Robotics within their production lines, while BMW has incorporated Silicon Valley’s Figure humanoid robots at its facilities since January.
Following Musk’s remarks, Tesla’s stock rose by over 3% on Monday. Year-to-date, shares have been relatively stable after a significant rebound over the past two months. Tesla is set to announce its second-quarter earnings on Tuesday, where Musk is expected to provide an update on the much-anticipated robotaxi unveiling.