On Tesla's earnings call, Elon Musk said the company has started early production of its Optimus humanoid robot on a high-volume line in Fremont, California, calling them the first 'production-quality bots.' He acknowledged significant remaining work on the robot's hands, safety, reliability, durability, and the AI needed for open-ended tasks, and said outside deliveries might begin around the end of 2027. Tesla did not disclose how many robots have been built or what tasks they can currently perform without human help.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-22
Tesla's humanoid robot, Optimus, has appeared in videos performing simple tasks such as passing popcorn and vacuuming, but struggles with more complex actions like ironing. Despite Elon Musk's optimistic forecasts of mass-market availability by 2027 and potential to automate nearly all human labor, the robot's current performance remains rudimentary. Industry leaders continue to project rapid growth and transformative impact for humanoid robots in the coming decades.
technologyreview.com
· 2026-10-08
According to The Information, Tesla has been struggling for over a year to build reliable, durable hands for its Optimus humanoid robot, prompting engineers to develop a swappable 'sensing glove' instead of embedded touch sensors. Most Optimus units built so far are used for internal testing rather than sold to customers, and remain limited to simple repetitive tasks despite extensive training data.
futurism.com
· 2026-09-28
According to The Information, Tesla has converted its Fremont factory—no longer building the Model S or Model X—to Optimus humanoid robot production, shifting line workers and engineers onto the project. The report describes manufacturing difficulties with the Optimus V3, including trouble precisely aligning components and limits on production line speed, with output currently at hundreds of units weekly against a stated goal of over 1,000 per week by the end of 2026.
arstechnica.com
· 2026-09-25
Tesla is manufacturing 'several hundred' Optimus robots per week after converting Model S and Model X lines for production, according to The Information. The report cites manual assembly bottlenecks, including hands and forearms with over 100 screws and small components that require workers to fit by hand, as key obstacles to scaling output.
theverge.com
· 2026-09-25
Recent robotics showcases—from Tesla's Optimus serving drinks to Unitree robots performing synchronized martial arts and setting a sub-9-second 100-meter sprint record—have fueled public fears that humanoid robots will soon replace human workers. But researchers interviewed say these choreographed demonstrations are misleading indicators of real-world capability, since flashy acrobatics don't translate into the dexterity, adaptability, and reliability needed for everyday labor tasks.
understandingai.org
· 2026-09-02
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