Tesla’s stock experienced an increase on Monday, fueled by Elon Musk’s ongoing discussions regarding the potential of the company’s humanoid robots. Musk indicated via X that Tesla will have operational humanoid robots for internal use at a low production level next year, with aspirations for higher production available to other companies by 2026.
During Tesla’s annual meeting in April, Musk mentioned that the Optimus robots would enter limited production in 2025, with a goal of having over 1,000 robots working by year-end. Two robots have already been introduced on the factory floor, although Tesla has not disclosed their specific tasks.
Musk previously suggested that the introduction of these robots could potentially add $20 trillion to Tesla’s market valuation. The robots are not anticipated to be available for purchase until late 2025, with a projected price range of $20,000 to $30,000.
The true utility of these robots remains uncertain, particularly following previous product demonstrations that raised eyebrows. In May, for instance, Tesla faced criticism for sharing a video in which an Optimus robot appeared to fold a shirt, a task that was allegedly being manipulated by a human off-screen.
This isn’t the first instance where Tesla has been accused of employing misleading tactics in showcasing its robots. The company initially launched its Optimus project in 2021, featuring a dancer dressed in a robot costume.
Analyst Craig Irwin from Roth MKM expressed skepticism regarding the timeline for a fully functional humanoid robot, noting the challenges Tesla faces in competing with established players like Boston Dynamics. He remarked that Tesla’s current offerings seem outdated compared to state-of-the-art developments from several years ago.
In addition to Boston Dynamics, Tesla is set to compete with organizations such as Honda and Apptronik. Chinese firms Dongfeng Motor and Nio are currently testing humanoid robots developed by UBTech Robotics in their production lines, while BMW has been utilizing humanoid robots from Figure in its facilities since January.
Following Musk’s remarks, Tesla’s stock saw an increase of more than 3% on Monday. Shares have remained relatively stable year-to-date after a significant recovery over the previous two months.
Tesla is slated to announce its second-quarter earnings on Tuesday, where Musk is expected to provide updates regarding the long-awaited robotaxi launch.