Tesla’s stock saw an increase on Monday following Elon Musk’s continued emphasis on the potential benefits of the company’s humanoid robots. Musk stated via X that Tesla aims to have “genuinely useful humanoid robots” in limited production for internal use by next year, with hopes for broader production for other companies by 2026.
During Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting in April, Musk indicated that the company’s Optimus robots would enter limited production by 2025, predicting that over 1,000 units would be operational within the company by the end of that year. Currently, Tesla has two robots on the factory floor, although the specific tasks they perform have not been disclosed.
Musk has previously speculated that Optimus could significantly enhance the company’s market value, potentially adding up to $20 trillion. However, these robots are not expected to be available for purchase until late 2025, with price estimates ranging from $20,000 to $30,000.
The definition of “genuinely useful” remains ambiguous, as previous demonstrations have drawn skepticism. For instance, in May, Tesla faced criticism for a video showing an Optimus robot folding a shirt, which was allegedly controlled by a human off-screen.
Tesla has a history of making exaggerated claims regarding its robotic innovations. The company first introduced the Optimus project in 2021 during a presentation featuring a person in a costume.
Analyst Craig Irwin from Roth MKM expressed skepticism about the company’s ability to deliver a sentient robot by 2025, citing past attempts that lacked credibility. He suggested that catching up to established technology from competitors like Boston Dynamics will be a significant challenge, noting the current offerings appear outdated.
In addition to Tesla, companies like Hyundai’s Boston Dynamics, Japan’s Honda, and Apptronik are also developing humanoid robots. Chinese manufacturers Dongfeng Motor and Nio are testing humanoid robots from UBTech Robotics in their production lines, while BMW has integrated Silicon Valley-based Figure’s robots into its facilities since early this year.
Following Musk’s remarks, Tesla’s stock rose over 3% on Monday, with shares remaining stable year-to-date after a substantial recovery over the past two months. The company is slated to release its second-quarter earnings on Tuesday, where Musk is expected to provide updates regarding the anticipated robotaxi launch.