Tesla shares have seen an increase on Monday as CEO Elon Musk continues to highlight the potential benefits of the company’s humanoid robots. Musk stated on X that Tesla would produce “genuinely useful humanoid robots” for internal use next year, with ambitions for larger scale production for other companies by 2026.
During Tesla’s annual meeting in April, Musk mentioned plans for the Optimus robots to enter limited production in 2025, predicting that over 1,000 robots could be operational by the year’s end. Currently, two robots are reportedly on the factory floor, though Tesla has not disclosed their specific roles.
Musk has previously suggested that this product could significantly boost Tesla’s market capitalization by up to $20 trillion. However, the robots are not expected to be commercially available until late 2025, with a projected price range between $20,000 and $30,000.
The exact practicality of the robots remains ambiguous, as previous demonstrations have faced criticism. For instance, a video purportedly showing an Optimus robot folding a shirt was alleged to involve off-screen human assistance.
Skeptics have pointed out that Tesla’s marketing of the robots often lacks transparency. Analyst Craig Irwin from MKM highlighted that the debut of the Optimus robot in 2021, which featured a dancer in a robot suit, might create skepticism about the product’s capabilities. He remarked on the challenge Tesla faces in competing with established companies like Boston Dynamics, citing that Tesla’s current offerings appear outdated.
Competitors in the humanoid robotics space include Hyundai’s Boston Dynamics, Honda, and Apptronik, with companies like Dongfeng Motor and Nio in China testing robots developed by UBTech Robotics, and BMW collaborating with Figure’s humanoid robots.
Following Musk’s comments, Tesla stock climbed over 3% on Monday. The stock has remained relatively stable year-to-date after a notable recovery in recent months. Tesla will announce its second-quarter earnings on Tuesday, where Musk is anticipated to provide updates on the long-awaited robotaxi program.