Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that the company’s humanoid robot, Optimus, could be available for sale by the end of next year. Musk believes that in the future, robots could bring in more revenue for Tesla than cars. However, experts are skeptical about the potential profitability of humanoid robots in the near future.
Optimus is expected to be able to perform tasks in factories by the end of this year and could reach the market by the end of 2025. Musk claims that Tesla is well-positioned to produce humanoid robots at scale and believes they could become the company’s most valuable asset. However, the practicality and usefulness of these robots in everyday tasks remain to be seen.
Experts in the field of AI and robotics have varying opinions on Musk’s ambitious timeline for the release of Optimus. While some believe it is realistic, others question the capabilities of the robot in terms of tasks like grasping objects and interacting with the environment. The reliability of humanoid robots is also a major concern, as they need to be highly functional to be considered useful in real-world applications.
Humanoid robots have the potential to perform tasks that are challenging for other types of robots, due to their design that closely mimics humans. However, there are still technical challenges to overcome, particularly in terms of movement and object manipulation. The current advancements in AI are aiding in the development of humanoid robots, but more progress is needed to make them viable tools in various industries.
While Musk envisions Optimus overshadowing Tesla’s other products in terms of revenue, experts believe this scenario is unlikely in the foreseeable future. Humanoid robots lack a compelling use case compared to other emerging technologies like driverless cars, and it is uncertain whether they can compete with industrial players in the robotics sector. Despite progress in recent years, humanoid robots still face limitations in completing tasks efficiently.
Analysts have criticized Musk’s claims about Optimus, dismissing them as “absurd” and “borderline investor fraud.” They question the feasibility of Tesla achieving such ambitious goals in the robotics sector. The global market for humanoid robots is predicted to reach $6 billion in the next decade or so, with the broader robotics market expected to be worth $218 billion by 2030. Elon Musk’s net worth is estimated to be $191.6 billion, making him one of the wealthiest individuals in the world.
