At Tesla's 'We, Robot' event on October 14, 2024, CEO Elon Musk introduced the Cybercab robotaxi and a self-driving 20-seater Robovan, culminating in a showcase of Optimus robots.
Musk claimed the humanoid robots, priced between $20,000 and $30,000, could perform various household tasks, stating, "Whatever you can think of, it will do." An analyst projected that every household could own one within three years.
However, during the event, an attendee asked an Optimus robot if it was being remote-controlled, to which it replied, "Today, I am assisted by a human. I'm not yet fully autonomous." Observers noted that Tesla employees were present, aiding the robots with signaling devices.
Since announcing plans for autonomous robots in 2021, Musk has suggested that Optimus could elevate Tesla's market capitalization to $25 trillion, compared to its current valuation of $700 billion.
While some critics labeled the robots a mere "parlor trick," Wedbush analyst Dan Ives described the event as "jaw-dropping" and "historical." Tesla has not yet commented on the reports of human assistance during the demonstration.