Tesla’s stock saw a notable increase on Monday as CEO Elon Musk highlighted the future potential of the company’s humanoid robots. Musk announced via social media platform X that Tesla aims to have functional humanoid robots for internal use by next year, with plans for larger-scale production for external clients by 2026.
During a shareholder gathering in April, Musk indicated that the humanoid robot, named Optimus, would enter limited production in 2025, with an expectation of over 1,000 units operational at Tesla by that year. Currently, two such robots are already deployed in the factory, although Tesla has not specified their roles.
Musk previously mentioned that Optimus could significantly enhance Tesla’s market capitalization by adding an estimated $20 trillion. However, the commercial release of these robots is not anticipated until late 2025, with prices expected to range from $20,000 to $30,000 each.
Despite Musk’s optimism, the viability of these humanoid robots has faced skepticism. Previous product demonstrations have raised doubts, with critics pointing out instances where Tesla appeared to embellish their capabilities, including a video showcasing a robot folding a shirt which was later revealed to be manipulated by an off-screen operator.
Analysts, like Craig Irwin from MKM, have voiced concerns over Tesla’s ability to compete with existing players like Boston Dynamics, Honda, and others in the rapidly evolving field of robotics.
Nonetheless, Musk’s comments on Monday were enough to propel Tesla’s stock upward by over 3%, a promising sign following a substantial recovery in shares over the past two months. Tesla is set to release its second-quarter earnings on Tuesday, where further updates on the company’s plans, including the delayed robotaxi launch, are anticipated.
This emphasizes the sustained interest and speculation surrounding Tesla’s innovative ventures, showcasing the company’s ongoing quest to disrupt both the automotive and robotics industries. As the world continues to navigate the advancements in AI and robotics, Tesla’s ambitious goals may pave the way for exciting innovations in the future.