Tesla's humanoid robot, Optimus, has already seen the production of hundreds of units, although it remains in the development stage and has not yet entered mass production. CEO Elon Musk is optimistic about achieving significant breakthroughs within the year, aiming to utilize the robots for various tasks to facilitate scaling. He has cautioned that failure to reach these goals may lead to further layoffs.
The current humanoid robot team is making engineering compromises to meet specific job requirements. For instance, they have trained specialized robot models for simple tasks in factories, such as screwing components, and have made initial progress. Reports suggest that by the end of 2024, Tesla's factories could produce thousands of Optimus robots. This advancement not only highlights the potential of humanoid robots in the industrial sector but could also significantly impact the future labor market.
It's important to note that Tesla is not the only company focusing on humanoid robotics. Firms like Boston Dynamics and Agility Robotics are also actively developing similar technologies, exploring their applications in both industrial and domestic settings while recognizing the considerable commercial value of these innovations.