Elon Musk updates timeline for Tesla's humanoid robots, wider release slated for 2026

livemint.com:

humanoid robot, known as Optimus, would be operational in Tesla factories by year's end and available for purchase by late 2025.The development of humanoid robots has been ongoing for several years, with notable advancements from Japan's Honda and Hyundai's Boston Dynamics. These companies are aiming to address potential labor shortages and manage tasks that are either hazardous or monotonous, such as in logistics, warehousing, and manufacturing.Despite Musk's ambitious promises, there is a track record of unmet expectations, including his 2019 declaration that Tesla would launch a network of autonomous "robotaxi" vehicles by 2020.

Recently, Musk indicated that the introduction of the robotaxi has been delayed, citing a need for a significant design modification to the vehicle's front end.Tesla initially unveiled the first version of its Optimus robot, named Bumblebee, in September 2022. More recently, the company released footage of the second iteration of the bipedal robot performing a simple task—folding a T-shirt—at Tesla’s facility.With a shifting focus towards artificial intelligence, autonomous driving technologies, and robotaxi development, Musk's recent efforts come amid a slowdown in electric vehicle demand, which constitutes over 80 per cent of Tesla's quarterly earnings.Tesla's second-quarter financial results are anticipated to be announced on Tuesday, with analysts projecting a dip in profit margins to the lowest level in over five years.