Tesla’s stock experienced an increase on Monday as Elon Musk promoted the potential value of the company’s humanoid robots.
Musk stated on X that Tesla will begin limited production of genuinely useful humanoid robots for internal use next year, with hopes for higher production levels for other companies by 2026. During Tesla’s annual meeting in April, Musk had mentioned that the Optimus robots would enter limited production in 2025, predicting that over 1,000 units would be operational at Tesla by the end of that year. Currently, two robots are in use on the factory floor, though the specific tasks they perform remain undisclosed.
Musk previously projected that the introduction of these robots could potentially add $20 trillion to Tesla’s market value. The robots are not anticipated to go on sale until late 2025, with a projected price range between $20,000 and $30,000.
However, the term “genuinely useful” has raised questions, especially given past demonstrations that did not meet expectations. In May, Tesla faced criticism for showcasing a video of an Optimus robot that appeared to fold a shirt, which was later revealed to be controlled by a person off-screen.
Tesla’s history with their robot demonstrations has included instances that critics describe as misleading, such as the unveiling of the Optimus project in 2021 featuring a dancer dressed in a robot suit.
MKM analyst Craig Irwin remarked on Yahoo Finance that achieving a sentient humanoid robot by 2025 seems overly ambitious, especially considering Tesla’s previous efforts. He emphasized the challenge Tesla faces in keeping pace with other companies like Boston Dynamics, which he described as having demonstrated state-of-the-art technology from 2014.
In addition to Boston Dynamics, Tesla will need to compete against firms like Honda and Apptronik. Chinese automakers such as Dongfeng Motor and Nio are also exploring humanoid robots designed by UBTech Robotics for use in their production facilities. Meanwhile, BMW has been incorporating humanoid robots from Figure, a Silicon Valley company, since January.
Following Musk’s remarks, Tesla’s stock rose over 3% on Monday, reflecting a recovery trend, as shares have remained relatively stable throughout the year after a significant rebound over the past two months. Tesla is set to report its second-quarter earnings on Tuesday, where Musk is expected to provide updates on the delayed launch of the company’s robotaxi initiative.