Tesla plans a million robots, science fiction or reality?

He has appeared in Tesla showrooms, on factory floors, and even posed with Kim Kardashian. However, Elon Musk’s vision for his humanoid robot Optimus is much grander than that. Since he first introduced it at Tesla’s exhibition in 2022, the tech billionaire has suggested that Tesla’s droid could play a significant role in the homes and lives of people around the world. Alongside self-driving robotaxis and Cybertrucks, Musk believes that Tesla’s robots are key to strengthening the company’s position in the world of artificial intelligence, reports the BBC.

And investors who recently approved his $1 trillion (760 billion pounds) package clearly agree. One of the many tasks Musk must fulfill to earn his massive bonus is to deliver a million AI robots in the next decade. But is Tesla’s big bet on humanoid robots rooted in science fiction or reality?

Huge potential

Silicon Valley is heavily investing in humanoid robots. A Morgan Stanley report predicts that Apple, which is reportedly exploring robot development, could earn $133 billion annually from them by 2040. Foxconn, known for manufacturing iPhones, is reportedly using them in its Nvidia factory in Texas. The idea of advanced artificial intelligence in human form is incredibly powerful in theory, allowing technology to physically act in the world around us, including ourselves.

While many companies are developing humanoid robots for factories and industrial use, such as the British company Humanoid, some are already planning to import them into homes. The publicly promoted Neo from company 1X, set to launch in 2026, can perform household chores like unloading the dishwasher, folding clothes, and bringing items. It will cost $20,000, but with one crucial caveat, The Wall Street Journal reported that it is actually controlled by a person using VR glasses.

Forrester Research analyst Brian Hopkins stated that the drop in component prices, along with advancements in robot dexterity and artificial intelligence, makes humanoid robots feasible in various environments.

– From warehouses and restaurants to elder care and security services, new use cases are rapidly gaining traction. If current trends continue, humanoid robots could significantly disrupt many physical service industries by 2030 – he wrote in a blog.

Musk has previously told investors that his robots ‘have the potential to become more significant than the automotive business over time.’ He went a step further, stating that he believes it could be ‘the greatest product of all time – bigger than the mobile phone, bigger than anything.’ He also suggested that it could further boost Tesla’s AI ambitions, particularly in developing artificial general intelligence (AGI) capable of matching human abilities.

Competition and fascination with humanoids

On the other side of the scene, the robot Atlas from Boston Dynamics has amazed millions on YouTube with its gymnastic and dance routines. Viral videos of its jumps, flips, and spins have showcased how far robotics has advanced, and scientists are now using AI to enable robots to perform more complex tasks.

When it was retired last year, it was replaced by a new, fully electric model that, according to developers, can bend its metal body even more. However, many roboticists that the BBC has spoken to over the years roll their eyes at tech companies’ attempts to shape robots like humans.

Practically speaking, there are not many reasons for robots to have legs (and even fewer to have a head), as the mechanics and hardware required for that are extremely complex. Psychologically, humans have always been fascinated by humanoids, which has been reflected in science fiction for decades. Just think of characters like C-3PO from Star Wars, Bender from Futurama, or the Terminator to understand how people often feel more comfortable with something that resembles them.

In reality, however, humanoid machines have often been clumsy, limited, and error-prone compared to their cinematic versions. Yet, with the development of robots like Optimus and other sleeker droids, we are getting closer to the actual moment when robots become eerily similar to us. Tesla’s droid is increasingly appearing in public, recently serving hamburgers and popcorn to guests at Tesla’s Hollywood restaurant. Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, stated in May that the world is not yet ready for humanoids, but at the same time said that ‘that moment is upon us.’ Although there is rivalry between him and Elon Musk, it seems they agree on one thing this time: robots are coming, and Musk certainly has the power, influence, and money to make it happen.