Tesla, Inc., headquartered in Austin, Texas, is a multinational automotive and clean energy company founded in 2003. Led by CEO Elon Musk, Tesla is known for its electric vehicles, battery storage solutions, and solar products. The company’s venture into humanoid robotics with Optimus aligns with its broader AI and automation ambitions.

The Optimus project, also known as the Tesla Bot, was announced at Tesla’s AI Day on August 19, 2021. The initial vision was a general-purpose humanoid robot capable of performing dangerous, repetitive, or mundane tasks. A prototype was first demonstrated in 2022. Elon Musk has consistently emphasized Optimus’s potential, suggesting it could eventually surpass the significance of Tesla’s vehicle business.

Tesla introduced Optimus Generation 2 via a video on Elon Musk’s X page in December 2023. This iteration featured enhanced walking, dancing, and fine motor skills, such as poaching an egg. Generation 2 boasted a slimmer design and significantly improved hands and movements. By May 2024, Optimus was shown performing various tasks within a Tesla factory, indicating internal pilot deployments.

However, critics raised concerns about the reliance on teleoperation in promotional videos, questioning the robot’s true autonomous capabilities. This led to comparisons with competitors whose robots demonstrated more autonomous actions. In June 2024, Musk projected limited production to commence in 2025, with over 1,000 units slated for Tesla facilities and potential external production in 2026.

Optimus Generation 3 debuted at Tesla’s “We, Robot” event in October 2024. While demonstrations were interactive, critics again noted the use of teleoperation for crowd interaction and a lack of transparency from Tesla. Musk estimated a purchase price of approximately US$30,000, envisioning the robot performing a wide range of everyday tasks in both industrial and domestic settings.

In June 2025, Milan Kovac, the head of the Optimus program since 2022, resigned and was succeeded by Ashok Elluswamy, head of Tesla’s autopilot teams.

Optimus is designed to be 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) tall and weigh 125 lb (57 kg). It is intended to be controlled by the same AI system developed for Tesla’s advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). The robot is planned to have a carrying capacity of 45 lb (20 kg). Its linear actuators utilize planetary roller screw technology for high force density and shock load resistance during dynamic movements.

Optimus is designed to leverage the same AI system that powers Tesla’s ADAS in its electric vehicles. This implies a sophisticated AI architecture for perception, decision-making, and motor control, building on Tesla’s extensive experience in real-world AI applications. The software stack is expected to incorporate advanced neural networks and machine learning algorithms for autonomous operation.

As of May 2024, Optimus robots were observed performing tasks within a Tesla factory, indicating initial internal pilot deployments. Elon Musk announced in June 2024 plans to deploy over 1,000 Optimus units within Tesla facilities by 2025, with potential production for other companies in 2026. These internal deployments are crucial for refining the robot’s capabilities and autonomy in controlled environments.

Elon Musk estimated the purchase price for Optimus to be around US$30,000. This pricing strategy suggests an ambition to make humanoid robotics relatively accessible, potentially disrupting industrial and domestic robotics markets.

Optimus has faced several criticisms:

Elon Musk’s future roadmap for Optimus is ambitious. Limited production is anticipated to begin in 2025, with plans for over 1,000 units to be deployed within Tesla facilities. External production for other companies is projected for 2026. Musk envisions Optimus performing a wide array of tasks in industrial and home settings, supported by continuous development of its AI system, leveraging advancements from Tesla’s Autopilot, to achieve greater autonomy and versatility.