NAIROBI, Kenya- Elon Musk has once again captured the tech world’s attention, announcing that Tesla’s humanoid robots will enter “low production” for internal use next year.
This update comes months after Musk initially projected a rollout by the end of 2024. The ambitious CEO hopes to have these robots in “high production” for external companies by 2026, according to a recent post on social media platform X.
In April, Musk had declared that the Tesla robot, dubbed Optimus, would be capable of performing factory tasks by the end of this year, with potential sales beginning as soon as the end of 2025.
Tesla first showcased Optimus in September 2022, unveiling the initial version, nicknamed Bumblebee.
This year, a video surfaced showing the second-generation bipedal robot folding a T-shirt at a Tesla facility, demonstrating its evolving capabilities.
Humanoid robots aren’t a new concept. Japan’s Honda and Hyundai Motor’s Boston Dynamics have been developing similar technology for years, aiming to address labor shortages and automate repetitive, dangerous, or tedious tasks in logistics, warehousing, and manufacturing.
Musk’s vision aligns with these goals, but he also has a history of overpromising.
For instance, in 2019, he confidently predicted a network of “robotaxi” autonomous cars by 2020, a promise that has yet to materialize.
Just last week, Musk noted that an important design change to the front of the robotaxi vehicle would delay its unveiling.
Despite these delays, Musk remains focused on artificial intelligence, autonomous driving software, robotaxis, and the Optimus robot, especially as demand for electric vehicles (EVs) tapers.
EVs currently account for more than 80pc of Tesla’s quarterly revenue.
Tesla is set to report its second-quarter results on Tuesday, with experts predicting margins to hit a more than five-year low.
However, investors and tech enthusiasts alike will be keenly watching for updates on Musk’s ambitious plans for robotaxis and AI products.
Tesla shares saw a modest 1pc uptick in premarket trading on Monday, reflecting cautious optimism.
As Tesla gears up for its next phase, the potential impact on industries from logistics to manufacturing could be revolutionary.
