Tesla has started early production of its Optimus humanoid robots in California, with Elon Musk targeting a manufacturing capacity of 20,000 robots per week by late 2027.
Highlights
- Elon Musk predicts Optimus robots could eventually account for 80% of Tesla’s value.
- Tesla has started early Optimus production at its Fremont factory in California.
- Company aims to achieve a production rate of 20,000 robots per week.
- Tesla expects commercial deliveries to external businesses around late 2027..
Tesla Begins Optimus Robot Production, Elon Musk Sees 80% of Company’s Future Value from Humanoid Robots
New Delhi, October 24, 2026: Tesla has started early production of its Optimus humanoid robots at its Fremont factory in California, marking a major step in CEO Elon Musk’s ambition to transform the electric vehicle manufacturer into an artificial intelligence and robotics company.
Musk has previously predicted that Optimus robots could eventually contribute around 80% of Tesla’s total value, highlighting the company’s growing focus on automation and humanoid robotics.
Tesla Targets 20,000 Robots Per Week
During Tesla’s third-quarter earnings call on October 21, Musk confirmed that early production had begun on the company’s high-volume manufacturing line in Fremont.
He said Tesla aims to reach a production rate of approximately 20,000 Optimus robots per week, although achieving that scale could take at least another year.
At that production rate, Tesla would have the capacity to manufacture more than one million humanoid robots annually.
However, Musk acknowledged that production would increase gradually because of the technical complexity involved in manufacturing humanoid robots.
Optimus Could Transform Tesla’s Business
Optimus is designed to perform physical tasks using artificial intelligence, sensors and advanced robotic systems.
Tesla expects humanoid robots to eventually assist with activities in factories, warehouses and other commercial environments.
Musk believes the technology could become one of Tesla’s most important products, potentially creating a business larger than its traditional electric vehicle operations.
The company is working to improve the robot’s movement, reliability, durability and ability to perform different tasks without constant human intervention.
Commercial Deliveries Expected in 2027
Tesla is targeting commercial deliveries of Optimus to businesses outside the company around the end of 2027.
However, Musk said additional work is required to improve the robot’s hardware, artificial intelligence and manufacturing reliability before large-scale commercial deployment.
Tesla must also establish a supply chain capable of supporting high-volume production.
The company has described its initial Fremont robots as production-quality units while acknowledging that further improvements remain necessary.
Tesla Profit Falls 43%
The robotics expansion comes as Tesla faces financial pressure from rising investments in artificial intelligence, autonomous driving and manufacturing.
The company’s third-quarter profit declined 43%, while revenue remained broadly flat.
Despite these challenges, Tesla continues to invest in Optimus and autonomous technologies as potential long-term growth drivers.
The start of Optimus production represents an important milestone, but Tesla’s ability to scale manufacturing and generate meaningful revenue from humanoid robots remains to be demonstrated.
Source: ETAuto
