Tesla plans to unveil the next version of its Optimus robot in late summer, but Elon Musk says the timing is being pushed closer to production to avoid giving competitors time to copy the technology.
During Tesla’s Q1 earnings call, Musk described Optimus V3 as potentially the company’s biggest product, but said they are cautious about showing it too early because rivals closely analyze and replicate new releases.
Production is expected to begin in Fremont around July or August, where Tesla is converting Model S and Model X lines for Optimus. The company is also building a second production line in Texas, targeting long-term output of up to 10 million robots annually, with operations there likely starting in 2027.
Musk noted that retooling factories is a complex process that could take several months, even under fast timelines. He added that early versions of Optimus will handle simple factory tasks and will be designed to operate with a high level of onboard intelligence, reducing reliance on internet connectivity.
The robot will still require direction through an “orchestration AI,” with Grok expected to play a role similar to a manager—providing guidance while allowing Optimus to operate independently for extended periods.