Elon Musk has just announced that Tesla will start selling its Optimus humanoid robot in 2026.
According to Tesla’s latest earnings report, Optimus is already performing tasks autonomously, like handling batteries in Tesla’s facilities. Musk even hinted on X that these robots will be in low production for internal use next year and high production for other companies by 2026.
Musk predicts a long-term demand for over 20 billion general-purpose humanoid robots, combining the 8 billion people on Earth with industrial use cases. While these figures are ambitious, they should be taken with a pinch of salt. Timelines for Musk’s projects have been known to shift, and Optimus is no exception.
Tesla has invested heavily in this endeavour. Former Tesla Optimus lead Chris Walti revealed that Optimus became the number one effort in the company. The market for humanoid robots has evolved significantly since Optimus’ 2021 debut, with the pandemic and the rise of generative AI accelerating interest in industrial automation.
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However, creating truly general-purpose robots is still a work in progress. The gap between today’s AI systems and robots that can learn and operate like humans is vast. The industry is increasingly looking to humanoid robots to bridge this gap, as the world is designed for people, so why not design robots to fit into it?
Tesla isn’t the only player in the humanoid robot game. Here’s a quick rundown of where other companies stand:
1X: This Norwegian startup made waves with a $23.5 million funding round and backing from OpenAI. Its smiley-faced robot, Eve, performs household tasks like cleaning.
Agility: Known for its bipedal robot, Digit, which has moved beyond pilot phases and is currently working in a Spanx factory in Georgia.
Apptronik: Partnered with NASA and Mercedes-Benz, this Austin-based firm is piloting humanoids in warehouses.
Boston Dynamics: The OG of humanoid robots, Boston Dynamics has an electric version of its Atlas robot, with plans to pilot it in Hyundai factories by 2025.
Figure: Raised a whopping $675 million and is piloting its 01 robot at a BMW factory in South Carolina.
Sanctuary AI: Began pilots with automotive manufacturer Magna and has deployed its Phoenix humanoid in Canada.
The humanoid robot race is heating up, and while Tesla’s Optimus might not be the first to market, it’s certainly making waves. Stay tuned for more updates as the world of robotics continues to evolve!
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