Tesla shares saw a significant increase on Monday as CEO Elon Musk highlighted the promising future of the company’s humanoid robots. Musk stated on social media platform X that Tesla plans to produce these robots in limited quantities for internal use by next year, with the aim for higher production for external clients by 2026.
During Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting in April, Musk indicated that the highly anticipated Optimus robots could move into limited production by 2025, projecting that over 1,000 units might be operational within Tesla by the year’s end. Currently, two robots are already on the factory floor, though their specific tasks remain undisclosed.
Musk has previously speculated that the robots could potentially contribute an astounding $20 trillion to Tesla’s market value. However, prospective sales of these robots are not expected until late 2025, with an estimated price range of $20,000 to $30,000 each.
The exact capabilities of these robots remain somewhat ambiguous, with past demonstrations raising skepticism. Notably, a recent video showed an Optimus robot folding a shirt, but it was later indicated that the actions were controlled by an individual off-screen. Critics have pointed out Tesla’s history of promotional tactics that some consider misleading, referencing the controversial debut of the Optimus project with a person dressed in a costume.
Analysts have weighed in on the competition, mentioning pioneers like Boston Dynamics, Honda, and Apptronik, along with other entrants such as Chinese companies Dongfeng Motor and Nio, which are testing humanoid robots within their manufacturing processes.
Despite the mixed reactions, Tesla’s stock rose by more than 3% following Musk’s comments, maintaining a stable position year-to-date after a substantial recovery over the last couple of months. Investors are looking ahead to the second-quarter earnings report on Tuesday, where Musk is anticipated to provide updates on the long-awaited robotaxi project.
This development represents a critical moment for Tesla as it ventures further into the realm of robotics, potentially transforming not just its production processes but also the future landscape of automation. Investors and tech enthusiasts alike remain hopeful for breakthroughs in the operational capabilities of humanoid robots, which could play a transformative role in various industries.