The CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk, has declared that the business will begin deploying humanoid robots in its plants the following year. The purpose of these robots, called Optimus, is to increase operational efficiency and safety by carrying out “boring, repetitious, and dangerous” activities. By revealing this information on X, the former Twitter site, Musk hinted at a more ambitious plan to mass-produce these robots and make them available for other businesses by 2026.
Musk’s announcement is in line with his history of bold statements. In 2021, he had forecasted that Optimus robots would be operational in Tesla factories by the following year— although delayed, progress on Optimus development is ongoing and Musk remains positive about their soon deployment. The humanoid robot was unveiled during a Tesla AI Day event in 2021 under dramatic circumstances: an actor dressed in a robot suit showcased its features. It wasn’t until the next year that a prototype of the robot made a public appearance by walking onto the stage and waving to the audience.
Optimus is approximately 1.7 meters in height and weighs around 56 kilograms. It draws its inspiration from Optimus Prime, who is the legendary leader of the Autobots in the world of Transformers. At the 2022 AI Day event, a video presentation depicted this robot engaged in various activities such as transporting boxes and tending to plants— tasks that it performed with seeming ease within Tesla’s factory environment. Musk dreams these robots will be manufactured en masse with an estimated cost per unit not exceeding $20,000.
While Musk has a history of overestimating timelines for his projects, the potential of Optimus remains significant. The robot could revolutionize manufacturing by handling monotonous and hazardous tasks, freeing human workers for more complex roles. However, Musk’s track record includes other delayed projects, such as the promised self-driving taxis by 2020, which have yet to materialize. Despite these setbacks, Musk’s vision for a future where humanoid robots are integral to industrial operations remains a compelling prospect.