Tesla trying to diversify away from EVs? Tech giant to start selling Optimus robots by 2025-end

Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk has announced that the company’s humanoid robot, still in development, could potentially be ready for sale by the end of next year.

Musk made this statement during a conference call with investors, expressing his anticipation that the Tesla robot would be capable of performing tasks within factory environments by the end of this year.

Humanoid robots have garnered interest from several companies as potential solutions to address labour shortages and undertake repetitive tasks in industries such as logistics, warehousing, retail, and manufacturing.

Major players in the field, including Japan’s Honda and Hyundai Motor’s Boston Dynamics, have been actively pursuing advancements in humanoid robotics for years.

Recent collaborative efforts between tech companies and automotive giants have led to the integration of humanoid robots into their operations.

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For instance, Microsoft and NVIDIA-backed startup Figure announced a partnership with German automaker BMW to deploy such robots in the company’s facilities across the United States.

Elon Musk, renowned for his ambitious vision, has previously indicated that robot sales could eventually become a significant component of Tesla’s business, potentially surpassing its automotive manufacturing segment.

Musk highlighted Tesla’s expertise in artificial intelligence, stating that the company is well-positioned to achieve volume production with efficient inference on the robot itself.

During the conference call, Musk revealed that the Tesla robot, named Optimus, might be capable of performing tasks within the factory environment by the end of this year.

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Notably, humanoid robots have been under development for several years by companies like Japan’s Honda and Hyundai Motor’s Boston Dynamics.

In a significant move this year, Microsoft and Nvidia-backed startup Figure announced a partnership with German automaker BMW to deploy humanoid robots in the car maker’s facility in the United States.

Musk, a billionaire entrepreneur, has previously suggested that robot sales could eventually become a larger part of Tesla’s business compared to other segments, including car manufacturing. He expressed confidence in Tesla’s ability to achieve volume production with efficient inference on the robot itself, highlighting the company’s expertise in artificial intelligence.

However, Musk’s ambitious promises have not always materialized. In 2019, he assured investors that Tesla would operate a network of “robotaxi” autonomous cars by 2020, a goal that remains unfulfilled.

Tesla introduced the first generation of its Optimus robot, named Bumblebee, in September 2022. Additionally, the company released a video this year showcasing a second-generation iteration of the bipedal robot folding a T-shirt at its facility.