Tesla Shifts Focus From Cars to Humanoid Robots
Tesla is set to stop producing two of its long-running electric car models as it pivots towards building humanoid robots.
The company plans to repurpose its production lines to manufacture its Optimus robot, signalling a major change in direction for the electric vehicle maker.
Which Tesla Cars Are Being Dropped?
Tesla will end production of the Model S and Model X, two vehicles that have been part of its lineup for more than a decade.
Customers will still be able to purchase the cars while remaining stock is available, but no new units will be built once supplies run out.
The decision was announced by Tesla’s chief executive, who described the move as an essential step towards a future driven by autonomy and robotics.
Factories Reworked for Robot Production
Tesla is expected to begin converting its Fremont factory in California into a large-scale production site for its Optimus humanoid robot.
The change reflects Tesla’s belief that robotics will eventually become a bigger part of its business than car manufacturing.
What Is the Optimus Robot?
Optimus is Tesla’s humanoid robot designed to handle tasks that are repetitive, boring, or potentially dangerous.
The robot is intended for use both inside and outside the home, carrying out everyday chores that people would rather avoid.
Customers could be able to buy their own Optimus robot by late 2027, with early estimates placing the price between $20,000 and $30,000.
What Can Optimus Do?
The general-purpose robot is expected to stand around 5 feet 8 inches tall and weigh roughly 57 kilograms.
It is designed to lift objects weighing up to 20 kilograms and use its hands to perform a wide range of tasks.
Development of the third generation of Optimus is currently underway, following its first public appearance in 2022.
Even Bigger Plans Ahead
Tesla’s ambitions for Optimus do not stop at household chores.
The company has previously suggested that one of the robots could be sent to Mars in 2026 aboard a SpaceX rocket.
The robot has also attracted attention outside the tech world, with high-profile celebrities sharing clips of interactions with it.
Robotics Is Already Here
Tesla is not alone in pushing into robotics.
In the UK, driverless trains and delivery robots are already in everyday use, and several companies are developing humanoid robots aimed at consumers.
Some early home robots already on the market rely on human operators working remotely, with full autonomy still a work in progress.
Basically…
Tesla is ending production of two iconic car models to free up capacity for humanoid robots.
Optimus represents a bold bet that robotics, not cars, will define the company’s future, even if that future is still a few years away for everyday consumers.
