Tesla’s Optimus Robot: Elon Musk Predicts a Post-Poverty Future
Tesla CEO elon Musk believes his company’s humanoid robot, Optimus, will spark an economic revolution capable of eradicating poverty and ushering in an era of widespread high income. The bold claim came during Tesla’s recent shareholder meeting,where investors also approved a possibly trillion-dollar compensation package for Musk – one of the largest in corporate history.
Musk stated that Optimus is the only path to achieving universal prosperity, predicting the robot will dramatically increase global productivity. He estimates Optimus could multiply the size of the global economy by 10 to 100 times, working 24/7 and achieving five times the annual output of a human worker.
Originally unveiled as the “Tesla Bot” in 2021 and now in its “Optimus Gen2” iteration, the robot has demonstrated increasingly elegant capabilities. Recent demonstrations showcased its improved speed (30% faster walking) and dexterity, including tasks like squatting and delicately handling eggs. Public appearances have included handing out Halloween candy, performing kung fu with actor Jared Leto, and even dancing on stage.
Musk envisions a future where work becomes “optional,” akin to a hobby like gardening, as AI and robots automate all jobs. He even proposed unconventional applications, such as using robots to monitor individuals and prevent crime, potentially replacing traditional imprisonment.
He anticipates Optimus will ultimately contribute 80% of Tesla’s future value, potentially increasing the company’s market capitalization to $25 trillion. Tesla plans to deploy thousands of Optimus robots within its own factories this year,scaling up to millions by 2030,with a target production of one million units annually. The robot is projected to be sold for between $20,000 and $30,000.
Despite his enterprising vision, Musk acknowledges challenges. Production is currently impacted by Chinese export restrictions on rare metals, prompting Tesla to seek alternative sourcing. Some robotics experts, including former Tesla employees, question the efficiency of a human-shaped robot for industrial tasks, favoring designs optimized for repetitive motions.
in a surprising conclusion, Musk believes the capitalist development of AI and robotics, if steered correctly, will ultimately lead to a “kind of communist utopia.” Acknowledging his “pathologically overly optimistic” outlook, he maintains that this future is closer than many realise.
