Tesla has officially scaled back its ambitious plans to produce thousands of Optimus humanoid robots in 2025 due to significant design challenges—especially with the robot's hands.
Optimus, also known as the Tesla Bot, is a general-purpose humanoid robot developed by Tesla. It was first announced at Tesla’s AI Day in August 2021, with a prototype unveiled in 2022.
Designed to perform tasks humans don’t want to do, like factory work, sorting, lifting, and navigating terrain, the Optimus bot is powered by Tesla’s onboard AI brain (based on Autopilot hardware), it learns through simulation-based reinforcement learning. The latest Gen 3 version stands 173 cm tall, weighs 57 kg, and can walk at 5 mph. It has 22 degrees of freedom in each hand, enabling human-like dexterity.
In 2025, Tesla showcased Optimus performing Kung Fu movements—learned entirely through AI, without human programming. The robot demonstrated balance, coordination, and agility, marking a leap in real-time movement control.
Tesla initially planned internal deployment in 2025, with external sales starting in 2026. The projected cost is under $30,000, though skepticism remains about its timeline and mass-market viability.
What went wrong?
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Tesla originally aimed to produce at least 5,000 Optimus bots this year, up from just a few dozen in 2024. However, technical issues with the hands, which are the most complex part of the design, have caused delays. Engineers are struggling to create dexterous, human-like hands.
The company has reportedly stockpiled Optimus bodies missing hands and forearms, with no clear timeline for completion. Tesla has now lowered its production target to 2,000 units, but even that revised goal appears to be in jeopardy.
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