Elon Musk: Optimus Robots to Rescue Tesla, Still in Testing
As Tesla faces a global decline in sales, Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest person, is banking on humanoid robots for the future. The potential of these robots to operate independently remains uncertain.
Elon Musk envisions a future where robots handle household chores, manufacture cars, and serve food. He believes this vision will propel Tesla's market value to $25 trillion, surpassing the value of the current most valuable company.
Musk stated that Tesla's Optimus humanoid robots, currently in development under secrecy, could contribute 80% of the company's revenue despite the sales slowdown. He aims to produce between 500,000 and 1 million robots by 2027 and predicts more humanoid robots than humans on Earth by 2040.
However, Tesla is reportedly struggling to meet Musk's initial target of building 5,000 Optimus units this year. The robots have been operated remotely by humans during public demonstrations, raising doubts about achieving full autonomy.
Experts are skeptical about Musk's ambitious projections, citing his history of unfulfilled promises. They question the feasibility of selling billions worth of humanoid robots within a few years and achieving mass production targets.
While progress has been made in developing the Optimus robot, some insiders believe Musk's timeline is overly optimistic. The competition in the electric vehicle market and skepticism surrounding Musk's predictions pose challenges for Tesla's robotic venture.
Despite some supporters envisioning grand scenarios for Optimus, early setbacks have been observed, including key personnel departures and technical challenges in robot dexterity. The humanoid design choice by Musk is debated for its practicality in various environments.
Critics argue that Musk's approach to humanoid robots may overlook essential lessons from past successes and underestimate the complexity of robotics. The high level of artificial intelligence required for humanoid robots to perform diverse tasks remains a significant challenge.
Moreover, Tesla would need to compete with lower-priced humanoid robots already available in the market, potentially impacting the success of Optimus. The complexity, cost, and competition raise doubts about the viability of Musk's robotic ambitions.
Despite the uncertainties, Musk's long-term perspective may view setbacks as temporary obstacles. The future of Optimus and Tesla's foray into humanoid robots remains uncertain, with challenges in technology, cost, and market competition.