Tesla’s stock experienced an increase on Monday as Elon Musk emphasized the prospective value of the company’s humanoid robots. Musk stated on X that “Tesla will have genuinely useful humanoid robots in limited production for internal use next year, with hopes for larger production for other companies by 2026.”
Earlier this year in April, during Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting, Musk mentioned that the Optimus robot would enter limited production in 2025, predicting that over 1,000 robots would be operational at Tesla by the end of that year. Currently, two robots are already present on the factory floor, although their specific functions have not been disclosed.
Musk previously speculated that the introduction of these robots could potentially add $20 trillion to the company’s market capitalization. The robots are not anticipated to be available for sale until late 2025, with prices expected to range between $20,000 and $30,000.
However, the term “genuinely useful” remains somewhat ambiguous, as earlier demonstrations have drawn criticism for lack of fulfillment. In May, Tesla faced scrutiny for releasing a video that appeared to show an Optimus robot folding a shirt, which was later claimed to have been operated by a person off-screen.
This is not the first occurrence where Tesla has presented its robotic endeavors in a somewhat theatrical manner. The unveiling of the Optimus robot initiative in 2021 was marked by a person dancing inside a robot costume.
MKM analyst Craig Irwin pointed out on Yahoo Finance that aspirations for a “sentient humanoid robot by 2025” seem overly ambitious, especially given the company’s previous marketing choices. He noted the challenge Tesla faces in competing with more advanced robotics firms like Boston Dynamics, stating that what Tesla has demonstrated appears outdated compared to current technology.
In addition to Boston Dynamics, Tesla will also compete with Honda and Apptronik. Chinese companies Dongfeng Motor and Nio are currently testing humanoid robots from UBTech Robotics on their production lines, while BMW has integrated humanoid robots from Silicon Valley’s Figure into its facilities since the beginning of the year.
Following Musk’s remarks, Tesla’s stock rose by over 3% on Monday, with shares remaining relatively stable year-to-date after a significant recovery in recent months. Tesla is set to report its second-quarter earnings on Tuesday, where Musk is expected to provide updates regarding the anticipated robotaxi launch.