Tesla begins production of Optimus humanoid robots

Tesla has commenced production of its Optimus humanoid robots at the Fremont factory in California. The company described the start as an early ramp phase, noting that hardware and manufacturing processes are still evolving to ensure the machines are safe, reliable, and capable of long-term operation.

Elon Musk has outlined ambitious long-term goals, including a target to reach an industrial potential of 20,000 Optimus robots per week by the end of 2027. To support this, Tesla plans to establish an ‘Optimus Academy’ to train robots and generate data for AI models, aiming for a significant increase in computing capacity by 2026.

While the production milestone marks a strategic move to expand Tesla’s business into robotics and artificial intelligence, the company faces financial complexities. This announcement coincides with a reported 43% year-over-year decline in quarterly profit, highlighting the challenge of funding long-term technological ambitions alongside its core automotive business.