Tesla’s stock experienced a notable increase on Monday, driven by Elon Musk’s continued advocacy for the potential of the company’s humanoid robots. Musk stated on social media platform X that Tesla aims to produce genuinely useful humanoid robots in low production for internal use by next year, with hopes for high production available to other businesses by 2026.
During Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting in April, Musk had projected that limited production of the Optimus robots would begin in 2025, with over 1,000 units operational by year’s end. Although two robots are currently functioning within Tesla’s factory, the specifics of their tasks remain undisclosed.
Musk theorized that these robots could add as much as $20 trillion to Tesla’s market capitalization, though they are anticipated to be priced between $20,000 and $30,000 and won’t be available for sale until late 2025. However, doubts linger regarding the utility of the robots. Previous demonstrations have raised skepticism, such as a video where a robot appeared to fold a shirt, reportedly controlled by an off-screen operator.
Critics have pointed out that past promotional efforts by Tesla have sometimes lacked authenticity, referencing a 2021 event where the Optimus project was introduced with a person dressed in a robot costume. According to analyst Craig Irwin, the ambitious timeline for a sentient humanoid robot is questionable, especially given Tesla’s previous attempts to showcase this technology.
Tesla is not only competing against Boston Dynamics but also against major players like Hyundai, Honda, and Chinese manufacturers such as Dongfeng Motor and Nio, who are already piloting similar robotic initiatives. Nonetheless, Tesla’s share price rose over 3% on Monday following Musk’s statements, maintaining a relatively steady position year-to-date after a considerable recovery over the last two months.
Tesla is scheduled to release its second-quarter earnings report on Tuesday, where further information on the anticipated robotaxi initiative may also be shared.
This ongoing development in humanoid robotics reflects an exciting evolution in the industry, showcasing Tesla’s ambition and potential to innovate. Investors remain optimistic about what these advancements may bring not only for Tesla but also for the future of automation in various sectors.