On Monday, Tesla’s stock experienced a more than 3% increase as CEO Elon Musk highlighted the potential value of the company’s humanoid robots. Musk shared on X that Tesla plans to have “genuinely useful” humanoid robots in limited production for internal use in the coming year, with hopes for wider production for external clients by 2026.
During Tesla’s annual meeting in April, Musk indicated that the Optimus robots would enter limited production in 2025, with a goal of having over 1,000 robots operational within Tesla by the end of that year. Currently, two robots are reportedly in use on the factory floor, although specific tasks remain undisclosed.
Musk previously speculated that the introduction of these robots could contribute an astounding $20 trillion to Tesla’s market valuation. The humanoid robots, which are anticipated to be available for sale at prices ranging from $20,000 to $30,000 late in 2025, have faced skepticism regarding their effectiveness. Previous demonstrations of the robots have raised doubts; for instance, a May video showing an Optimus robot folding shirts was criticized for appearing to be controlled by an off-screen operator.
Analysts have voiced concerns about Tesla’s capabilities in this endeavor compared to established competitors like Boston Dynamics, Honda, and others in the humanoid robotics field. Craig Irwin, an analyst at Roth MKM, noted the challenges Tesla faces in presenting any groundbreaking technology, citing a previous promotional event featuring a person in a robot suit as a lapse in transparency.
Despite these criticisms, Tesla’s stock rebound reflects some investor optimism, particularly as the company prepares to report its second-quarter earnings on Tuesday, where Musk is expected to provide updates on the anticipated robotaxi unveiling.
Overall, while the road ahead seems challenging for Tesla in the realm of humanoid robotics, Musk’s relentless ambition and the company’s agility could still lead to innovative breakthroughs in the future, keeping the spirit of advancement alive within the robotics industry.