Tesla's Optimus robot could be on sale next year, says Elon Musk

“If you’ve got a sentient humanoid robot that is able to navigate reality and do tasks at request, there is no meaningful limit to the size of the economy.”

Commercial production of humanoid robots

Musk’s announcement comes at a time when a large number of companies are investing in humanoid robots.

Several firms, including Honda, Hyundai Motor’s Boston Dynamics, and Figure, have been actively developing their own variants. 

However, Musk believes Tesla is uniquely positioned to lead the commercial production of such robots. According to Musk, the prototype of Optimus already performs simple tasks within Tesla factories.

The announcement regarding Optimus becomes more important considering the falling sales of Tesla’s electric vehicles.

The larger vision for Tesla

The company recently reported a 9% year-over-year drop in quarterly revenue, which is its largest fall since 2012. Moreover, the sales of Tesla vehicles dropped by more than 20% in Q1 of 2024, compared to the previous quarter.

It is in this context that Musk is making announcements regarding the ambitious robotics program to reassure investors. His emphasis on humanoid robots signals a calculated effort to reposition Tesla.

He envisions robot sales eventually becoming a large part of Tesla’s business.

“We should be thought of as an AI or robotics company,” Musk asserted to investors, urging them to shift their perception of Tesla beyond its traditional image as a carmaker.

“If you value Tesla as just like an auto company, fundamentally, it’s just the wrong framework, and if you ask the wrong question, then the right answer is impossible.”

Progress is evident

Meanwhile, the Optimus robot is undeniably progressing at a steady pace. A recent video showcased a newer version of Optimus performing tasks like folding a T-shirt at Tesla’s facility.

The company unveiled the first generation, named Bumblebee, in September 2022.

However, Musk’s announcements should be taken with a pinch of salt as he has overpromised quite a few times in the past. For example in 2019, Musk claimed Tesla would have a million robotaxis on the road by 2020.

A fierce competition

Tesla faces fierce competition in this burgeoning field. Figure, backed by Microsoft and Nvidia, recently announced a partnership with German automaker BMW to deploy humanoid robots within BMW’s United States-based facility.

The video released by Figure in February demonstrates its 01 robot performing tasks like making coffee. 

Similarly, Boston Dynamics unveiled its Atlas humanoid robot last week in a video where it is seen performing acrobatic maneuvers, transitioning from lying down to standing and walking.

The race towards commercially viable humanoid robots is heating up. Tesla’s entry, with Elon Musk’s latest bold predictions, adds a new dimension to this rapidly evolving technological landscape. 

While the timeline for Optimus entering the market might be ambitious, the impact Musk foresees highlights the potential for robots to revolutionize how humans work and live.

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