Tesla's Humanoid Robot Optimus Gears Up for Internal Use by 2025, High Production Targeted for 2026

Elon Musk, CEO of electric vehicle giant Tesla, has announced that the company’s humanoid robot, known as Optimus, will be produced in “low production” for internal use by 2025, and “hopefully” ready for high production to serve other industries by 2026. Musk's statement comes after a previous announcement targeting a complete rollout by 2024.

The introduction of humanoid robots at Tesla represents a significant shift in the company's production and operational processes, underscoring the broader technological trend that is fundamentally reshaping the industrial landscape. Optimus is anticipated to perform various tasks within the Tesla factories, eventually evolving into a product that other companies can utilize to address labor shortages while safely performing mundane or hazardous duties commonly found in logistics, warehousing, and manufacturing sectors.

The development of humanoid robots has been gaining traction globally, with industry leaders such as Japan's Honda and Hyundai Motor's Boston Dynamics at the forefront. The Tesla iteration, dubbed the Optimus, is a high-profile entrant in this space, carrying with it Musk’s vision of a more automated future.

Despite his track record of ambitious promises, some of which remain unfulfilled, Musk continues to push the frontier of technology — from robotaxis to AI-focused endeavors. Tesla’s commitment to these areas was highlighted with the release of a video this year showcasing a second-generation Optimus robot adeptly folding a T-shirt within Tesla's facilities.

This pivot towards AI and automation comes at a time when Tesla's report on second-quarter earnings is highly anticipated, with analysts projecting slimmer margins amidst soaring expectations for the electric vehicle maker’s future projects.

As Tesla gears up for the upcoming earnings report with their stocks already witnessing a slight uptick in premarket activity, investors and tech enthusiasts alike are closely monitoring Musk’s ambitious technological ventures, including the progress of the Optimus robot and its potential influence on the industry at large.