Tesla’s bold gamble on humanoid robots: Everything to know about Optimus

Tesla’s big bet on humanoid robots

After dominating the US EV market, billionaire Elon Musk's Tesla is now setting its sights on the next big frontier—on the footsteps to become a powerhouse in the sector of humanoid robots.

Elon Musk has shared a video on X Tesla's humanoid robot 'Optimus' walking. He said, "The rate of improvement is indeed rapid." Musk further added that this year would be 'legion of Optimus robots.'

Musk has announced that the factory in Fremont has already started production, with a target of 10,000–12,000 units by 2025.

The rate of improvement is indeed rapid.There will be a legion of Optimus robots this year. https://t.co/wANpmbuwN8
Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 2, 2025

Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, was first introduced by CEO Elon Musk in 2021, with the prototype debuting at the company’s AI Day 2022. Musk envisions mass production of the robot in the future, positioning it as a key player in Tesla’s expanding technology portfolio.

Optimus: Tesla’s bold step toward revolutionizing the humanoid robot industry

Tesla's humanoid robot, Optimus, is designed to walk on two legs and interact with the physical world using its arms and hands. The company has drawn a parallel between its robots and cars, stating that it has essentially transitioned from building "robots on wheels" to "robots with legs."

It can walk, self-calibrate its limbs, and balance on one leg. It can grasp, sort, and adjust objects, such as repositioning a fallen toy block. Equipped with sensors, it recognizes environments and tracks its own limb movements independently.

The robot has its own brain or central computer that is powered by AI chip contains a trained neural network.

The robot also relies on AI technologies like deep learning and computer vision alongside autopilot cameras and sensors to perceive and navigate its surroundings, as hinted at by the open positions on Tesla’s careers page.

Company says that the Optimus would be ready for sale in 2026. In 2024, Musk stated that an Optimus robot could eventually be priced between $20,000 and $30,000—making it more affordable than a car in the long run.