Tesla’s stock saw an increase on Monday as Elon Musk highlighted the potential of the company’s humanoid robots. Musk announced on X that Tesla plans to have “genuinely useful humanoid robots” in limited production for internal use next year, with hopes for larger production for other companies by 2026.
During Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting in April, Musk indicated that the company’s humanoid robot, named Optimus, would enter limited production in 2025. He projected that by the end of that year, over 1,000 robots could be operational within Tesla. Currently, two robots are functioning on the factory floor, though their specific tasks have not been disclosed.
Musk previously speculated that the introduction of these robots could potentially add $20 trillion to Tesla’s market value. The robots are not expected to be available for purchase until late 2025, with projected prices ranging from $20,000 to $30,000.
However, the actual utility of the robots is still uncertain. Previous demonstrations have raised eyebrows; for instance, a video released in May showed an Optimus robot folding a shirt, which was later claimed to have been manipulated by an off-screen operator.
Critics have also noted Tesla’s tendency to overstate its advancements. Roth MKM analyst Craig Irwin commented that the company has a long way to go to match the capabilities of established competitors like Boston Dynamics, expressing skepticism about the timeline for a fully operational humanoid robot.
In addition to Tesla, other companies such as Hyundai’s Boston Dynamics, Honda, and Apptronik are also developing humanoid robots. Meanwhile, Chinese firms like Dongfeng Motor and Nio are integrating robots by UBTech Robotics into their production processes, and BMW has employed humanoid robots from Figure since January.
Following Musk’s remarks, Tesla shares increased by over 3% on Monday, though the stock remains relatively stable year-to-date after experiencing a significant rebound in recent months. Tesla’s second-quarter earnings report is expected on Tuesday, where Musk may provide updates on the company’s long-awaited robotaxi project.