Tesla plans to start selling Optimus robots by the end of next year, Musk claims

Elon Musk recently announced that Tesla's humanoid robot, Optimus, could hit the market as early as the end of next year.

This move comes as several companies are investing in humanoid robots to address potential labor shortages and perform repetitive tasks in various industries.

During a conference call with investors, Musk revealed that Tesla's robot, Optimus, is expected to be capable of performing tasks in factories by the end of this year. This announcement puts Tesla in competition with other companies like Honda, Hyundai Motor's Boston Dynamics, and startup Figure, which recently partnered with BMW to deploy humanoid robots in its US facilities.

Musk expressed confidence in Tesla's ability to reach volume production efficiently, leveraging the robot's artificial intelligence capabilities. However, Tesla has already failed to meet ambitious deadlines in the past, such as the unfulfilled promise to create a network of autonomous "robotaxi" cars by 2020.

Tesla introduced its first generation humanoid robot, Bumblebee, in September 2022, and a second-generation prototype was showcased in a video earlier this year, demonstrating its ability to fold a T-shirt. Meanwhile, Figure's 01 robot was seen making coffee in a video released in February, and Boston Dynamics recently unveiled an electric platform for its Atlas humanoid robot, showcasing its agility in twisting, turning, standing, and walking.