Elon Musk has announced a delay in the rollout of Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot, pushing the timeline back by about a year.
The robots, initially expected to be operational in Tesla factories by the end of 2024, are now slated for low production in 2025 and high production for other companies in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot timeline has been delayed by about a year.
- Low production for internal use is now expected in 2025, with high production for other companies in 2026.
- Tesla shares rose by over 5% following the announcement.
Timeline Update
Elon Musk recently updated the timeline for Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot. Initially, the robots were expected to be operational in Tesla factories by the end of 2024, with external sales starting by the end of 2025. However, Musk has now stated that low production for internal use will begin in 2025, with high production for other companies expected in 2026.
Stock Market Reaction
Following Musk's announcement, Tesla shares gained over 5%. The stock closed 5.2% higher at $251.51 on Monday. Analysts suggest that the delay in the robotaxi event, originally scheduled for August 8, could lead to Tesla revealing more new products and features in the future.
Technological Advancements
Tesla has made significant strides in developing the Optimus robot. The company showcased the Optimus Gen 2 humanoid robot at the 2024 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, China. The new design for the Tesla bot is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Despite these advancements, Tesla has faced criticism for its ambitious timelines and has been accused of using deceptive practices in past demonstrations.
Competitive Landscape
Tesla is not the only company working on humanoid robots. Boston Dynamics, Honda, and Apptronik are also key players in this field. Chinese automakers Dongfeng Motor and Nio are testing humanoid robots developed by UBTech Robotics, while BMW has enlisted Silicon Valley-based Figure's humanoid robots in its facilities since January.
Future Prospects
Despite the delay, Musk remains optimistic about the future of Tesla's humanoid robots. He has previously stated that Optimus could add $20 trillion to Tesla's market capitalisation. The robots are expected to eventually sell for between $20,000 and $30,000. However, the company has a long way to go to catch up with industry leaders like Boston Dynamics.
Conclusion
While the delay in the Optimus humanoid robot timeline is a setback, Tesla continues to make progress in its development. The company's stock has reacted positively to the news, and the future looks promising for Tesla's foray into humanoid robotics.
Sources
- Elon Musk delays Tesla Optimus humanoid robot timeline | Electrek, Electrek.
- Tesla Stock Jumps Ahead of Earnings, as Musk Says Humanoid Robot Will Come in 2025, Investopedia.
- Tesla Optimus production is estimated to start in 2025, Teslarati.
- Elon Musk Pushes Back Timeline for Optimus Robots, Gizmodo.
- Tesla robots are 'state of the art for 2014,' analyst says as stock jumps, Quartz.
