Tesla CEO Elon Musk has set the stage for a groundbreaking development in the world of robotics, announcing that the company’s humanoid robot, named Optimus, could be ready for sale by the end of next year. During a conference call with investors, Musk revealed his optimism about the robot’s capabilities, stating that he believes Tesla is well-positioned to achieve volume production with efficient AI-based inference on the robot itself.
The introduction of Optimus follows the unveiling of Tesla’s prototype robot, Bumblebee, earlier this year. The company showcased the robot’s abilities in a video where it was seen folding a T-shirt at a Tesla facility. Musk has long been a proponent of expanding Tesla’s business beyond car manufacturing, predicting that robot sales could become a significant part of the company’s operations.
Tesla is not alone in its pursuit of humanoid robots, as other companies like Honda, Hyundai Motor’s Boston Dynamics, and Microsoft-backed startup Figure are also investing in this technology. Figure recently announced a partnership with BMW to deploy humanoid robots in the car maker’s facility in the US, while Boston Dynamics showcased its Atlas robot’s agility in a video where it transitioned from a lying down state to standing and walking.
With the potential to address labor shortages and perform repetitive tasks in various industries, humanoid robots are poised to revolutionize the way work is done. As companies continue to innovate in this space, the future of robotics looks promising, with Tesla leading the charge towards a new era of automation.