Tesla’s stock saw an increase on Monday as CEO Elon Musk continues to highlight the potential benefits of the company’s humanoid robots. Musk shared on X that Tesla plans to have functional humanoid robots in limited production for internal use next year, with hopes of higher production for other companies by 2026.
During Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting in April, Musk mentioned that the Optimus robots would enter limited production in 2025, predicting over 1,000 would be operational at Tesla by year’s end. Although two robots are already at the factory, Tesla has not disclosed their specific functions.
Musk suggested that the introduction of these robots could add substantial value, potentially increasing the company’s market capitalization by $20 trillion. However, the robots are not expected to be available for sale until late 2025, with anticipated pricing ranging from $20,000 to $30,000.
There are still questions regarding the practicality of the robots, particularly after past demonstrations that failed to impress. Critics point out that in May, Tesla was accused of misleadingly showcasing an Optimus robot folding a shirt while it was actually being manipulated by a person off-camera. This wasn’t the first instance of Tesla generating hype around the robots, having introduced the Optimus project in 2021 with a performer in a costume.
Analyst Craig Irwin from Roth MKM expressed skepticism about Tesla’s ambitions, questioning the feasibility of achieving a sentient humanoid robot by 2025. He noted that Tesla’s current efforts seem outdated compared to competitors like Boston Dynamics, Honda, and Apptronik, as well as Chinese firms Dongfeng Motor and Nio, which are testing their own humanoid robots in production settings. BMW has also been using Figure’s robots in its facilities since early this year.
On the heels of Musk’s comments, Tesla shares rose over 3% on Monday. The stock has remained relatively stable year-to-date, following a significant rebound in the past two months. Tesla is set to announce its second-quarter earnings on Tuesday, where Musk is expected to provide updates on the much-anticipated robotaxi program.