Tesla Deploys 2 Optimus Robots on Factory Floor

Earlier this year, Tesla revealed that Optimus, their humanoid robot, is now assisting in tasks at the factory. The company made this announcement before the shareholder vote on Elon Musk’s pay package. Tesla stated that two Optimus robots are autonomously performing tasks in the factory, although it is not specified which tasks or which factory they are operating in. Business Insider reached out to Tesla for confirmation but did not receive an immediate response.

During Tesla’s recent earnings call in April, Musk mentioned that Optimus would be able to handle factory roles by the end of the year and could potentially be available for sale by 2025. Musk has expressed high hopes for the AI-powered humanoid, claiming that Optimus could be more valuable than anything else Tesla is currently working on. He even went as far as saying that the economy’s potential would be limitless once the “sentient humanoid robot” became a reality.

While Optimus has made significant advancements from its early stage as a person in a robot suit, it still has not reached Musk’s ultimate vision. Tesla has shared videos showcasing Optimus performing tasks like squats, picking up an egg, and folding a shirt. However, Musk later clarified that the robot cannot fold a shirt autonomously. Despite Musk’s ambitions, other companies are also diving into the use of robots in production lines. BMW partnered with robotics startup Figure to deploy robots in its South Carolina factory, while Chinese automakers like Dongfeng Motors and Nio are also exploring similar technologies with local robotics firms. Elon Musk has identified China’s EV builders as a significant threat to Tesla’s market dominance, making these advancements in robotics a key battleground for the future of car production.