Tesla’s stock experienced a rise on Monday as Elon Musk continues to highlight the potential value of the company’s humanoid robots. Musk stated on platform X that Tesla plans to have truly useful humanoid robots in limited production for internal use next year, with hopes for mass production for external companies by 2026.
In April, during Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting, Musk indicated that the Optimus robots would enter limited production in 2025, projecting that over 1,000 robots could be operational at Tesla by year’s end. Currently, two robots are on the factory floor, but the company has not disclosed their specific roles.
Musk suggested that this product could contribute an additional $20 trillion to Tesla’s market capitalization. However, the robots are not expected to be available for sale until late 2025, with projected prices ranging from $20,000 to $30,000.
The definition of “genuinely useful” robots remains ambiguous, as past demonstrations have not met expectations. In May, Tesla faced criticism for a video showing an Optimus robot folding a shirt, which was later revealed to be controlled by an off-screen individual.
This is not the first time Tesla has utilized spectacle in showcasing their robots. The company introduced its Optimus robot project in 2021 featuring a dancer in a robot costume, raising skepticism about their actual capabilities.
In addition to Hyundai’s Boston Dynamics, Tesla must compete with Honda and Apptronik from Japan, as well as Chinese manufacturers like Dongfeng Motor and Nio, which are testing humanoid robots from UBTech Robotics. BMW has also integrated humanoid robots from Silicon Valley-based Figure into its operations since January.
Following Musk’s announcements, Tesla’s stock rose over 3% on Monday. Year-to-date, shares have remained relatively stable after a significant rebound in the past two months. Tesla is scheduled to release its second-quarter earnings on Tuesday, where Musk is anticipated to provide updates on the company’s delayed robotaxi launch.