EVwire brief: Tesla is accelerating its Optimus program, highlighting manufacturing progress and hiring as it pushes toward high-volume production.
The update comes from a recruitment video posted by the official Tesla Optimus account on X, which stated that the humanoid robot “will be the biggest product ever.”
Engineers in the video emphasized that one of the challenges with Optimus is the fact that there is really nothing like it in the market today.
We’re solving manufacturing problems that haven’t been solved before at the scale that Tesla operates at.
The video highlights a hands-on approach to Optimus’ development, with engineers working directly on components such as distribution harnesses and compact high-power inverters, both of which are difficult to scale efficiently.
Having Optimi just walking around the office definitely makes work feel like the future
Particular focus is placed on the robot’s hands, which are seen as critical to enabling real-world usefulness. Tesla has been iterating quickly, with the latest prototypes already showing improved dexterity.
As we iterate on our robot design and go into Gen 3 and into mass production, we are getting very close to the human functionality and form factor.
Elon Musk has stated that Optimus is a key component of his vision for “amazing abundance.” To achieve Musk’s vision, Optimus must have hands that have comparable dexterity to humans. This way, it could perform complex, high-level human tasks, such as surgery and manufacturing.
The Tesla Careers website currently has more than 140 open roles tied to the Optimus program across AI, engineering, and manufacturing.
Optimus’ hands will likely be its make-or-break feature
Optimus production targets point to massive scale
Tesla’s long-term plans for Optimus suggest production volumes far beyond its current vehicle output.
The company is expected to begin early production at the Fremont Factory, where Optimus’ pilot line will take the place of the Model S and Model X’s assembly line.
Optimus Gen 3 is expected to be unveiled sometime this year
Fremont’s initial pilot lines are expected to target up to 1 million units per year, with a larger production line at Gigafactory Texas potentially scaling to 10 million units annually.
These targets align with Elon Musk’s broader view that humanoid robots could eventually exceed global vehicle production.
Tesla has previously described Optimus Gen 3 as a major step forward, with Musk calling it “by far the most advanced robot in the world.” An event for Optimus V3 is expected to be held sometime this year.
Source: Tesla Optimus on X
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