Positive Developments On Tesla’s Optimus Robot Overshadowed By Elon Musk’s X Post That Can Land Him In Hot Water In China

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A segment of Wall Street that remains uber-bullish on Tesla typically identifies three critical catalysts to drive the EV giant's future growth: a $25,000 Model 2, the robotaxi, and the Optimus humanoid robot. Today, Elon Musk relayed positive developments vis-à-vis the imminent launch of the Optimus robot, albeit marred by another of his characteristically impish X post that has the potential of sparking a severe backlash in China.

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In response to an X post that illustrated the AI-related prognostications of the celebrated British film writer and director Daniel Kokotajlo, Elon Musk announced today that Tesla will start using its Optimus humanoid robot internally in small numbers in 2025. By 2026, the EV giant intends to ramp-up the humanoid robot's production and formally add it to its product portfolio.

A Primer On Tesla's Optimus

Elon Musk first announced the Optimus robot during Tesla's AI Day event in 2021. A year later, Tesla offered some of the first glimpses of the self-mobile, bipedal robot.

Optimus leverages a neural network-trained, AI-equipped brain that allows it to interact with the external elements.

The bipedal robot is currently capable of performing menial, labor-intensive tasks, with significant AI capabilities in the pipeline.

Tesla's humanoid robot also leverages its bespoke neural network to map and navigate obstacles as well as track objects.

Despite its heft, Optimus is equipped with sensitive tactile finger sensors that allow the bipedal robot to pick up an egg with finesse.

Back in 2022, Elon Musk had endorsed a $40 trillion market opportunity for the Optimus robot, where each unit is expected to sell at a sub-$20,000 price point.

Elon Musk's X Post And China's Sensitivities

This brings us to the