Elon Musk Says Optimus Robot Will Replace Jobs and Enable Universal Income - Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) - Benzinga
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA), has predicted that the company's humanoid robot Optimus could revolutionize the global economy even if it significantly reduces the need for human labor.
Key takeaways
Elon Musk says Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, is now moving from prototype to mass production and will become a cornerstone of the company’s future. At the 2025 shareholder meeting he announced that the first production line will be built at the Fremont plant, targeting roughly one million units per year, with the potential to scale to ten million annually at Gigafactory Texas and even a speculative 100‑million‑unit line on Mars. Musk linked the robot to a “sustainable abundance” vision, claiming Optimus could be “the biggest product of all time,” dramatically boost productivity, eliminate poverty and enable a form of universal basic income. He also tied the robot to his new performance‑award compensation plan, which requires Tesla to deliver one million Optimus units to unlock a valuation tranche. The rollout is positioned alongside other AI‑driven initiatives such as robotaxis and the upcoming Cybercab, underscoring Musk’s belief that humanoid robots will reshape the global economy.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA), has predicted that the company's humanoid robot Optimus could revolutionize the global economy even if it significantly reduces the need for human labor. Despite the hurdles that Tesla faces in building the humanoid robot, including difficulties with its hands, Musk maintains that Optimus will achieve unparalleled productivity.
He predicts that the robot will outperform humans by five times annually and be operational 24/7. Musk’s “sustainable abundance” vision, supported by robotics and AI, aims to reshape the economy.
Musk has even suggested that this shift could lead to universal high income, where working becomes optional. Short
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