Tesla chief Elon Musk has announced the possibility that the company’s humanoid robot, dubbed Optimus, could be available for purchase by the end of 2025. This news comes during a conference call with investors, sparking excitement and speculation around Tesla’s latest innovation.
Optimus folds a shirt pic.twitter.com/3F5o3jVLq1
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 15, 2024
Humanoid robots are envisioned to address labor shortages and tackle repetitive, potentially dangerous tasks in various industries, including logistics, manufacturing, and warehousing. Tesla joins established players like Honda and Hyundai’s Boston Dynamics who have been developing similar robots for several years, Reuters reported.
While Optimus is still under development, Musk expressed confidence it will be capable of performing factory tasks within 2024. Looking beyond the robot’s capabilities, Musk predicts its sales could become a significant revenue driver for Tesla, potentially surpassing car manufacturing. He emphasizes Tesla’s advantage in achieving efficient, large-scale production due to their expertise in artificial intelligence.
Getting my daily steps in pic.twitter.com/cEE4RBNdfo
— Tesla Optimus (@Tesla_Optimus) February 24, 2024
However, Musk’s history of missed deadlines, such as the unfulfilled promise of a robotaxi network by 2020, tempers some enthusiasm. Earlier this month, Musk, who is also the chief executive officer of SpaceX, said Tesla autonomous robotaxi will be revealed on August 8, a promise we’ve been waiting to be executed since 2020.
Despite the cautionary past, anticipation of the company’s humanoid robot remains high. One burning question on everyone’s mind is the anticipated price range for Tesla’s Optimus robots. While direct comparisons to Tesla’s existing product line suggest a range below $25,000-$30,000, Musk’s recent statements hint at the possibility of an even lower price point, potentially below $20,000, Mashable reported.
Going for a walk with Optimus pic.twitter.com/6mLJCUp30F
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 31, 2024
As Tesla refines Optimus, the world observes with keen interest, eager to see its impact on the future of robotics and automation.
