Elon Musk is betting big on his Optimus humanoid robot project, despite a long road ahead before it reaches the market. The first examples are already operational in Tesla factories, marking a crucial step in the development of this revolutionary technology.
Elon Musk's ambition for Optimus
Elon Musk, CEO of X (formerly Twitter) and SpaceX, recently said at Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting that the company’s market capitalization could surpass that of Apple or Microsoft. While electric vehicle sales are struggling to recover after a difficult period, the humanoid robot Optimus could become Musk’s next major strategy.
The billionaire envisions a future where machines will perform all sorts of tasks. While there is a long way to go before Optimus becomes a commercial reality, Musk shared early demonstrations of the robot roaming offices and manipulating small objects on X.
The first applications of Optimus at Tesla
While Optimus may not be available to consumers anytime soon, Tesla has already found a practical use for its humanoid robot. The company has announced that it will use Optimus for specific tasks in its assembly plants starting next year.
This phase will serve as a full-scale test before possible large-scale commercialization. Tesla plans to put Optimus on sale as early as 2026, subject to a significant increase in production.
Currently, Tesla has two Optimus robots operating autonomously in its facilities. Elon Musk's strategy aims to increase production in the coming years, although the project is still in the prototype stage.
The development of Optimus in a competitive context
Most companies working on autonomous robots are at a similar stage of development. Tesla unveiled the first Optimus concept in 2021, followed by a working version the following year.
At a public event, Elon Musk showed off the first version of Optimus, demonstrating its walking, waving, and even dancing abilities. Tesla announced an upgraded version last year.
In this area, Tesla faces increasing competition. The Figure robot is already working in a BMW factory, while Agility Robotics has reached an agreement with Amazon to use its Digit robot in some operational centers.
Challenges and future prospects
Developing Optimus represents a major technological challenge for Tesla. The company must not only perfect the robot's motor and cognitive capabilities, but also ensure its safety and efficiency in complex work environments.
Integrating Optimus into Tesla factories provides a unique opportunity to test and improve the robot in real-world conditions. This experience will be crucial to refining Optimus’ features and identifying potential new applications.
In the long run, if Tesla can successfully commercialize Optimus, it could transform not only the auto industry, but many other industries that require an advanced robotic workforce.
The road to realizing Elon Musk's vision of a world where humanoid robots are ubiquitous remains long and fraught with challenges. Nevertheless, Optimus' progress is a significant step in that direction, promising exciting developments in the years to come.