Tesla CEO Elon Musk says his company’s humanoid robot, dubbed Optimus, could begin reaching consumer markets by the end of 2025. 

Optimus, which Mr. Musk envisions as a future major revenue source for Tesla, is anticipated to cost $25,000, less than half the price of a typical car. The announcement came alongside Tesla‘s Q1 2024 financial results, with Mr. Musk updating Optimus’ timeline.

Mr. Musk indicated that the robot is already performing tasks within Tesla‘s lab and could carry out duties in electric car factories by year’s end. The goal is for Optimus to handle repetitive and potentially hazardous tasks currently undertaken by human workers.

The initiative leans heavily on Tesla‘s expertise in artificial intelligence from its self-driving vehicle program, as well as its knowledge of electric motors and batteries. Tesla posits that its cars essentially operate as robots on wheels, suggesting a humanoid form of such technology could seamlessly transition to performing humanlike tasks.

In a previous update, Mr. Musk claimed that the “Optimus stuff is extremely underrated,” predicting that the robot will one day account for “a majority of Tesla’s long-term value.”

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