Imagine a world where humanoid robots work side by side with humans, performing repetitive tasks and increasing factory efficiency.
This idea, which seemed like science fiction just a few years ago, may be about to become reality.
Elon Musk, known for his bold innovations, has an ambitious plan for Tesla: to manufacture 10 Optimus robots by 2025.
But is this goal feasible? Or would we be facing yet another Musk’s futuristic promise that could take a while to get off the ground?
Tesla’s bold goal
During a conference call about the financial results of the fourth quarter of 2024, Musk revealed the intention to produce 10 thousand units of the Optimus in 2025.
However, the billionaire himself acknowledged that this goal may be difficult to achieve, suggesting that producing just a few thousand robots would be a more realistic goal.
Tesla already uses robots on its production line, but details about how they work are scarce.
The plan now is for Optimus to be employed for repetitive tasks in the company’s factories, replacing human workers in roles that require little critical thinking.
How will robots be used?
Tesla doesn’t intend to limit its robots to just its own factories. Musk wants to sell Optimus to other industries and possibly to end consumers.
The estimated value of each unit is around US$ 20 thousand (around R$ 120 thousand), making the robot relatively accessible for medium and large companies.
According to experts on the subject, if this prediction comes true, the job market could be profoundly impacted.
Companies from different sectors could replace humans with robots in repetitive tasks, reducing costs and increasing production efficiency.
However, this also raises questions about job security for millions of workers.
Technical challenges and limitations
Despite Musk’s enthusiasm, experts point to several challenges that could make large-scale production of Optimus difficult.
One of the biggest problems is the supply of actuators, devices responsible for the movement of robots.
These components convert stored energy into mechanical work and are essential for Optimus to function smoothly.
So far, Tesla has only produced a small number of prototypes of the robot.
The company needs to demonstrate that it can mass-manufacture Optimus without compromising quality or running into logistical limitations.
Optimus and the evolution of robotics
The Tesla Bot was announced during the AI Day event in 2021. At the time, Musk surprised the audience by introducing an actor dressed as a robot, simulating the machine’s movements.
The staging generated both enthusiasm and skepticism.
Two years later, in 2023, Tesla revealed working prototypes of Optimus. These robots were able to walk, carry objects and interact minimally with the environment.
While the advances are remarkable, there is still a long way to go before Optimus achieves the performance expected by the industry.
Musk believes that in the future, humanoid robots will revolutionize the workforce. The idea is that humans can focus on creative tasks, while robots take on manual, repetitive tasks.
A future dominated by robots?
A expansion of robotics brings undeniable benefits to the industry, but also raises concerns.
If Tesla can achieve its goal, the world will be one step closer to a revolution in industrial automation.
