May 15 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) revealed new capabilities of its Optimus humanoid robot this week, showcasing improved balance, gait, and dexterity in a series of viral demo videos
The robot performed complex movements, including ballet and coordinated dance sequences, that were reportedly learned entirely through simulation before being executed in real-world tests. Tesla said the training drew on its reinforcement learning expertise and highlighted a major step forward in mobility.
CEO Elon Musk said the current version remains a work-in-progress, though Tesla is targeting production of 5,000 units in 2025, with potential to scale to 12,000 depending on parts availability. For now, Optimus is being tested inside the company’s Texas Gigafactory, where it is performing tasks for Tesla’s upcoming Cybercab production line.
Looking ahead, Tesla expects to begin selling Optimus externally by 2026, with a projected price range of $25,000 to $30,000 per unit.
Other players in the humanoid robotics race include Figure AI, backed by Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) and OpenAI, as well as Boston Dynamics, Agility Robotics, Sanctuary AI, and Xpeng (NYSE:XPEV). Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Meta (META) are also exploring robotic platforms at various stages of development.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
