Tesla’s stock experienced an uptick on Monday, driven by Elon Musk’s continued emphasis on the potential of the company’s humanoid robots, known as Optimus. On social media platform X, Musk shared his optimism, stating that Tesla plans to have these robots in limited production for internal use by next year and hopes for mass production by 2026 for external clients.
At Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting in April, Musk indicated that Optimus could enter limited production in 2025, with a projection of over 1,000 units operational at Tesla facilities by the end of that year. Currently, two robots are reportedly on the factory floor, although Tesla has not disclosed their specific roles.
Musk has suggested that the potential market for these humanoid robots could significantly enhance Tesla’s valuation, projecting an addition of $20 trillion to its market capitalization. However, these robots are not anticipated to be available for purchase until late 2025, with expected prices ranging from $20,000 to $30,000.
While Musk expresses high hopes for the utility of these robots, skepticism remains about their actual capabilities, particularly after previous product demonstrations that failed to impress. Critics have pointed out instances, such as a video showing an Optimus robot folding a shirt, which was revealed to have involved a human operator controlling the movements off-screen.
Musk’s vision for a sentient humanoid robot by 2025 has drawn doubts, especially in light of Tesla’s earlier marketing tactics, where a dancer donned a robot suit during the initial launch presentation. Analysts have noted that Tesla faces significant competition from established players in the humanoid robotics market, including Boston Dynamics, Honda, and various Chinese manufacturers.
Nonetheless, Tesla’s stock gained over 3% following Musk’s remarks. Year-to-date, the shares remain steady after a substantial recovery in the past two months. Investors are keenly awaiting the company’s second-quarter earnings report, scheduled for Tuesday, where Musk is also expected to provide updates on the delayed robotaxi initiative.
In summary, while Tesla’s journey into humanoid robotics reflects ambitious aspirations, the path ahead will require addressing skepticism and proving its capabilities—both crucial for future growth. The anticipation surrounding upcoming earnings results could also offer further insights into Tesla’s trajectory in the evolving tech landscape.
The potential of Tesla’s humanoid robots, if actualized, signifies a forward-thinking approach within the tech industry. The continued innovation in this field may not only impact Tesla’s market presence but could also lead to broader advancements in automation and robotics across multiple sectors.