Tesla is reportedly behind on its pledge to build 5,000 Optimus bots this year

Tesla, under the visionary leadership of Elon Musk, appears to be significantly behind schedule in achieving its ambitious goal of producing at least 5,000 Optimus humanoid robots by the end of 2025. A recent report by The Information indicates that nearly eight months into the year, the number of Optimus units produced remains only in the hundreds. This stark disparity suggests a challenging road ahead for the electric vehicle giant in meeting its self-imposed deadline.

This news emerges against a backdrop of financial headwinds for Tesla. The company recently reported a 12% decline in overall revenue for the second quarter, primarily attributed to a downturn in EV sales, reduced income from regulatory credits, and a decrease in solar and energy storage sales. During the recent Q2 earnings call, Elon Musk, while acknowledging the current pace, projected that production of the latest Optimus 3 design would commence by early next year.

Despite the current production challenges, Musk reiterated his long-term vision for the humanoid robot program. “We will scale Optimus production as fast as possible and try to get to a million units a year as quickly as possible,” Musk stated. He added, “We think we can get there in less than five years. That’s a reasonable aspiration.” This bold forecast underscores Tesla’s commitment to the robotics sector, viewing Optimus as a potential cornerstone for future growth and a significant expansion beyond its core automotive business.

However, industry observers are quick to recall similar grand pronouncements from Musk in the past that have yet to materialize. For instance, at Tesla’s 2019 Autonomy Day, Musk famously announced plans for a fleet of a million robotaxis to be operational by 2020. Two years later, he revised this timeline, stating Tesla would mass-produce robotaxis by 2024. Both projections, while ambitious, have not come to fruition, leading some to approach the latest Optimus production targets with a degree of caution.

The discrepancy between stated goals and current production figures for Optimus highlights the complexities inherent in scaling cutting-edge robotics. As Tesla navigates its financial challenges and pushes the boundaries of AI and robotics, the world will be watching closely to see if the company can accelerate its pace and transform its lofty aspirations for Optimus into tangible reality.