Tesla’s stock saw an increase on Monday as CEO Elon Musk continues to highlight the potential value of the company’s humanoid robots. Musk announced on social media that Tesla plans to produce these robots for internal use in limited quantities next year, with hopes for higher production available to other companies by 2026.
During Tesla’s annual meeting in April, Musk stated that the company’s Optimus robots would enter limited production in 2025, projecting that over 1,000 units could be operational by then. Currently, two robots have been integrated into the factory, although Tesla has not disclosed their specific tasks.
Musk previously speculated that these humanoid robots could potentially contribute an additional $20 trillion to Tesla’s market capitalization. However, the robots are not expected to be available for purchase until late 2025, with anticipated prices ranging from $20,000 to $30,000.
The term “genuinely useful” used by Musk regarding the robots is subject to interpretation. Previous demonstrations have faced criticism; for instance, a video released by Tesla showing an Optimus robot folding a shirt was alleged to have been manipulated, as the robot appeared to be controlled by an off-screen person.
Analyst Craig Irwin from MKM described Tesla’s past marketing efforts for the robots as lacking authenticity, referencing the initial reveal of the Optimus project in 2021, which featured a dancer in a robot suit. He remarked on the challenges Tesla may face in competing with established players like Boston Dynamics.
In addition to Boston Dynamics, Tesla is also up against Honda and Apptronik in the humanoid robotics space. Chinese companies such as Dongfeng Motor and Nio are experimenting with humanoid robots from UBTech Robotics, while BMW has incorporated humanoid robots from Figure into their operations.
Following Musk’s remarks, Tesla’s stock rose by over 3% on Monday. Year-to-date, the shares have remained relatively stable after experiencing a significant rally in recent months. Tesla is scheduled to report its earnings for the second quarter on Tuesday, where Musk is anticipated to provide an update regarding the launch of the delayed robotaxi project.