July 5, 2025 – According to a post by Digitime on July 4, Tesla has reportedly put its production plan for the humanoid robot Optimus on hold. This decision comes as the company aims to refine some crucial technological components of the robot, and it now faces the daunting task of a complete redesign.
Back in January this year, Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk made a bold claim. He stated that if everything went according to plan, by the end of 2025, the company would aim to manufacture thousands of Optimus humanoid robots.
Looking ahead, Tesla had set even more ambitious targets. The production of Optimus humanoid robots was expected to surge ten – fold in 2026, with a goal of producing between 50,000 and 100,000 units. And then, in the following year, the production was projected to increase by another ten – fold.
However, this grand vision has been hit by setbacks. In April this year, there were reports that the production of Optimus was delayed due to issues related to rare earth materials. Now, the latest news has cast a shadow over Musk’s optimistic statements.
In June of this year, Musk also teased the third – generation Optimus humanoid robot, promising “so many improvements”. Although he didn’t disclose specific details, it was anticipated that the third – generation Optimus would show enhancements in coordination and the ability to perform complex tasks. But with the current production halt and redesign challenges, the future of Optimus remains uncertain.
