Tesla’s stock saw an increase of over 3% on Monday following comments from Elon Musk about the promising future of the company’s humanoid robots. Musk shared via X that Tesla anticipates launching humanoid robots for internal use next year, with plans for broader production aimed at other companies by 2026.
During Tesla’s annual meeting in April, Musk indicated that the development of the Optimus robot would enter limited production in 2025, with expectations of having over 1,000 functioning robots by year-end. Currently, two robots are operational on the factory floor, although Tesla has not disclosed their specific tasks.
Musk previously estimated that the introduction of these robots could increase Tesla’s market capitalization by as much as $20 trillion. The robots are not expected to be commercially available until late 2025, with anticipated prices ranging from $20,000 to $30,000 each.
Despite Musk’s bold claims of creating “genuinely useful” robots, skepticism remains regarding their capabilities. Past demonstrations have faced criticism, including a May incident where a video showcased an Optimus robot folding a shirt, which was later revealed to be controlled by an off-screen individual.
Tesla previously attracted attention for its marketing tactics, such as unveiling the Optimus project in 2021 with a person dressed in a robot costume performing a dance. Industry analysts, like MKM’s Craig Irwin, express doubts about Tesla’s ability to compete with established players like Boston Dynamics, noting that the technology presented seems outdated compared to current advancements.
In addition to Boston Dynamics, Tesla faces competition from Honda and Apptronik in Japan. Meanwhile, Chinese companies Dongfeng Motor and Nio are integrating humanoid robots from UBTech Robotics into their production lines, and BMW has been working with Silicon Valley’s Figure robots since early this year.
As Tesla prepares to report its second-quarter earnings on Tuesday, Musk is expected to provide updates on the company’s delayed robotaxi project.