Elon Musk attended the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual event in Davos, Switzerland, for the first time, where he predicted that robots would eventually outnumber humans. Musk has historically been critical of the event.
Tesla's Robotics Vision
Musk outlined that Tesla's mission now encompasses "sustainable abundance" through the advancement of robotics. The company is actively developing a humanoid robot, Optimus, alongside automated robotaxis.
During an interview with BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, Musk asserted that "AI and robotics" are essential for achieving "abundance for all" and a high global standard of living, foreseeing a future where robotics are "ubiquitous" and stimulate significant economic growth. He also suggested humanoid robots could address elder care needs.
Optimus Market Release
Musk indicated that Tesla's Optimus robots are presently engaged in basic factory tasks. He expects them to perform more complex operations by the end of the current year and anticipates public sales of humanoid robots by the end of 2025, once high reliability is ensured.
The humanoid robotics market is currently valued at $2 billion to $3 billion, according to Barclays analysts. They project its expansion to at least $40 billion by 2035, potentially reaching $200 billion, as AI-driven robots become integrated into labor-intensive industries such as manufacturing.