Elon Musk’s humanoid robot, Optimus, has been spotted in Tesla showrooms, on factory floors, and even alongside celebrities such as Kim Kardashian. Yet the tech billionaire’s ambitions for the robot extend far beyond demonstrations and photo opportunities.
Since unveiling Optimus at a Tesla showcase in 2022, Musk has said he envisions the robot becoming a fixture in homes and workplaces around the world. He believes it could play a vital role in Tesla’s long-term strategy to dominate the artificial intelligence (AI) industry — alongside ventures like self-driving robotaxis and the Cybertruck.
Investors appear to share his confidence. On Thursday, they approved Musk’s $1 trillion (£760 billion) pay package, which includes a target of delivering one million AI-driven robots over the next decade.
Silicon Valley is now heavily focused on the humanoid race. A Morgan Stanley report released on Friday suggested that Apple, which is reportedly exploring its own robotic projects, could generate as much as $133 billion annually from humanoid technology by 2040. Manufacturing giant Foxconn has also begun deploying humanoid robots at its Nvidia facility in Texas.
The concept of a human-shaped robot powered by advanced AI has captivated both scientists and consumers. It offers the potential for machines to interact directly with people and their physical environments. Companies such as UK-based Humanoid are developing robots for industrial use, while others are exploring domestic applications.
Norwegian tech firm 1X, for example, plans to release its “Neo” robot in 2026. The $20,000 model can fold laundry, unload dishwashers, and fetch objects — though reports suggest it is currently operated by humans via virtual reality headsets.
Forrester analyst Brian Hopkins believes the declining cost of components and improving dexterity are helping humanoid robots move closer to widespread use. “From warehouses and restaurants to elder care and security, new use cases are gaining traction fast,” he wrote. “If current trends continue, humanoid robots could transform many service industries by 2030.”
Musk has long argued that Optimus could eventually surpass Tesla’s car business in importance. Following the approval of his pay deal, he declared the robot could become “the biggest product of all time by far — bigger than cell phones, bigger than anything.” He has also hinted that Optimus could accelerate Tesla’s pursuit of artificial general intelligence (AGI), AI systems capable of human-like reasoning.
Elsewhere, Boston Dynamics has demonstrated the rapid progress of robotics with its Atlas robot, famous for performing flips and dance routines. Its latest fully electric version, revealed last year, can twist and contort its body in more ways than ever.
Still, some roboticists question the practicality of human-shaped machines, arguing that wheels are far more efficient than legs and that heads serve little technical purpose. Yet, from C-3PO to the Terminator, the human fascination with lifelike robots endures — and companies like Tesla are now edging closer to turning that fascination into reality.
Recently, Optimus has even been spotted serving food to customers at Tesla’s Hollywood diner. As OpenAI chief Sam Altman noted earlier this year, “the world may not be ready for humanoids” — but with Musk driving the charge, that moment may not be far away.
