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Elon Musk has suggested that Tesla’s AI-powered humanoid robots could be available for purchase within the next few years.
Musk said on Monday on Twitter’s old name, X, that the company’s robot, called Optimus, will be used internally starting next year.
“Tesla will begin producing small numbers of truly useful humanoid robots for our own internal use next year, and then hopefully mass produce them for other companies in 2026,” the Tesla CEO wrote.
Clean-energy car maker Tesla has been working on humanoid robots for years, with the goal being to create “highly versatile, bipedal, autonomous humanoid robots capable of performing dangerous, repetitive or tedious tasks,” according to the company.
Musk first unveiled a prototype of Optimus in 2022. At the time, the robot was made of wire and metal and had a vaguely human shape. The first generation could only perform very basic movements, like walking a few steps and waving to crowds.
But last year, Tesla unveiled the next generation of Optimus, this time with a sleeker design, improved features, and sensors that help the robot work faster.
A video presentation of the robot showed its dexterity, being able to pick up, hold and place an egg without cracking it.
Tesla shared a video showcasing the latest version of its Optimus Robot on December 12, 2023 (Tesla)
Musk said Optimus could be available by 2026, but that may be a planning error: The Tesla CEO has a history of underestimating how long it takes to develop something.
In 2017, he spoke about his ambitions for another company he founded, The Boring Company, to build a tunnel that could carry people from New York City to Washington, D.C. in just a few minutes. Construction on that tunnel never seems to have started.
In 2019, Musk predicted that Tesla would have 1 million “autonomous robotaxis” on the roads by 2020. But they have yet to be announced.
Tesla’s Optimus Robot is being developed as a general-purpose robot (Tesla)
The concept of humanoid robots is not new, and several companies besides Tesla, including Hyundai’s Boston Dynamics, have begun producing similar models.
Tesla is known for building electric vehicles, but Musk has signaled an interest in developing AI technologies, and beyond Optimus, the company has pledged to develop autonomous vehicles with self-driving technology.
