Tesla’s stock experienced an increase on Monday as Elon Musk continues to highlight the potential value of the company’s humanoid robots. Musk shared on X that Tesla is set to have genuinely useful humanoid robots in low production for internal use by next year, with hopes for higher production for other companies by 2026.
During Tesla’s annual meeting in April, Musk mentioned the Optimus robots would enter limited production in 2025, predicting that more than 1,000 would be operational by year’s end. Currently, two robots are present on the factory floor, though Tesla has not disclosed their specific functions.
Musk theorized that the introduction of these robots could potentially boost the company’s market capitalization by $20 trillion. However, the robots are not anticipated to be available for sale until late 2025, with a projected price range between $20,000 and $30,000.
There is ambiguity surrounding Musk’s claim that the robots will be “genuinely useful.” Previous demonstrations have raised skepticism; for instance, in May, Tesla faced criticism for sharing a video of an Optimus folding a shirt that was allegedly controlled by a person off-screen.
Tesla has a history of showcasing its robots with grandiose marketing. The Optimus project was first introduced in 2021 through a presentation featuring a person dressed in a robot costume.
MKM analyst Craig Irwin expressed doubt about the feasibility of reaching a truly sentient humanoid robot by 2025, referencing Tesla’s past promotional tactics and highlighting competition from companies like Boston Dynamics. He noted that Tesla’s displayed technology appears outdated compared to current advancements in the field.
In addition to Hyundai’s Boston Dynamics, Tesla faces competition from Japan’s Honda, Apptronik, and several Chinese companies, including Dongfeng Motor and Nio, which are exploring humanoid robots from UBTech Robotics. BMW has also incorporated Figure’s humanoid robots into its operations since January.
On Monday, Tesla’s stock gained over 3% following Musk’s comments, although shares remain relatively flat for the year after a strong recovery in recent months. Tesla is set to release its second-quarter earnings on Tuesday, where Musk is expected to provide updates on the much-anticipated robotaxi program.