Tesla to produce ‘humanoid’ robots next year: Musk
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Tesla aims to use the robots for internal use first, and then produce them for other companies in 2026.
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A Tesla Bot pictured on display at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in November 2022 in Shanghai, China. (AFP)
Tesla intends to launch humanoid robots for internal use starting next year, with plans to scale up production by 2026, according to Elon Musk, the company's CEO.
Musk disclosed the information in a post on X on Monday, stating that initially, the robots will be in limited production at Tesla's factories. He expressed hope that by 2026, they will be available in larger quantities for other companies.
This announcement follows Musk's earlier statement in April, where he mentioned that the Tesla robot, named Optimus, would be capable of performing factory tasks by the end of this year and could potentially be ready for commercial sale by the end of 2025.
In 2021, at an AI Day event, Tesla first announced its intention to develop humanoid robots. A year later, the company unveiled Optimus, also known as Bumblebee, revealing that it would be priced at less than a Tesla car and manufactured in significant quantities.
Musk emphasized that previous robots lacked advanced intelligence and the ability to navigate the world autonomously, contrasting them with Optimus, which he described as highly capable. He indicated that Optimus would be priced reasonably at under $20,000.
“Optimus is going to be incredible in five or ten years, like mind-blowing,” Musk claimed.
Humanoid robots are designed to replicate human appearance and behavior, mimicking facial expressions and movements.
Various companies, such as Japan's Honda and Hyundai Motor's Boston Dynamics, have invested in humanoid robots to address potential labor shortages in industries where repetitive or hazardous tasks are common.
Elon Musk previously suggested that sales of robots could become a significant aspect of Tesla's business, potentially surpassing other segments like car manufacturing. According to research firm MarketsandMarkets, the global humanoid robot market, valued at $1.8 billion in 2023, is expected to skyrocket to over $13 billion within the next five years.
