Elon Musk, the mastermind behind Tesla and SpaceX, has announced his next major goal—an army of humanoid robots intended to transform global productivity. Named Tesla Optimus, these sophisticated robots are being designed to perform human-like tasks with an efficiency that Musk claims is “five times greater than humans.” During Tesla’s recent quarterly earnings call, Musk shared the company’s vision of producing up to one million Optimus units in the near future. He referred to this initiative as a “massive robot army” that could become Tesla’s most important product, even outpacing its renowned electric vehicles. The billionaire entrepreneur stressed that the Optimus project represents a significant change in Tesla’s long-term strategy—from producing cars to creating intelligent machines.
“Optimus has the potential to be the biggest product of all time,” Musk stated, emphasizing its transformative capabilities. He also acknowledged that retaining his voting power in Tesla is vital for guiding this ambitious project, highlighting the centrality of Optimus to the company’s future. Tesla’s Optimus robots are crafted to replicate human form and behavior. They are meant to undertake repetitive, strenuous, or precision-based tasks—roles that currently depend heavily on human labor. Musk foresees these robots becoming essential in sectors like manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and household services.
“This could create a world without poverty, where everyone has access to top-notch medical care,” Musk remarked, noting that Optimus units could even serve as “incredible surgeons.” The Optimus project first gained public attention in 2023 when Tesla revealed early prototypes capable of walking, lifting objects, and performing basic service tasks. Since then, development has accelerated, and the robots are currently being tested within Tesla’s own facilities. Musk disclosed that these units will soon operate autonomously with human-like dexterity and decision-making abilities. In terms of production and future plans, Musk indicated that Tesla aims to unveil a “production-intent prototype” by early next year, with large-scale manufacturing slated to start by late 2026.
The company has already initiated limited production and internal trials, refining the robots for reliability and safety prior to expanding operations. Tesla is incorporating its proprietary AI and neural network technologies—the same systems that drive its Full Self-Driving cars—into Optimus. This integration enables the robots to learn tasks, adapt to new surroundings, and interact naturally with humans. At recent Tesla events, Optimus robots were observed performing simple demonstrations such as serving food and engaging with guests. Musk cited these instances as evidence of the company’s steady progress in making humanoid robotics practical and safe for real-world applications.
If successful, Tesla’s Optimus could revolutionize humanity’s approach to labor, automation, and economic growth—potentially leading to a new era where robots not only enhance productivity but also assist in alleviating poverty and improving global quality of life.
