Tesla's plans to produce 10,000 Optimus robots by 2025 reportedly suspended, as suggested by supply chain insiders, casting a shadow over Elon Musk's bold claims.
In a surprising turn of events, Tesla, the pioneering electric vehicle manufacturer led by CEO Elon Musk, has temporarily halted the mass production of its Optimus humanoid robot. The decision comes as a result of hardware challenges and a redesign effort aimed at refining critical technical components[1][2].
Initially, Musk had predicted that several thousand Optimus robots would be built by the end of 2025, with plans to ramp up production to over 500,000 annually[1]. However, the engineering team's focus is now on resolving overheating issues in joint motors, improving the lifespan of transmission mechanisms, enhancing battery endurance, and addressing thermal control, load capacity of the robot’s hands, and overall reliability[2][4].
The production halt began around mid-June 2025, with the redesign phase expected to last about two months[2][4]. This pause casts significant doubt on Musk's target to produce several thousand units in 2025 and meet the originally projected mass production timeline[3].
Prior to this, Tesla had assembled close to 1,000 units and secured parts for about 1,200. The suspension was due to a redesign of Optimus, as reported by unnamed China supply chain sources[5].
The delay also includes complexities related to rare-earth magnet licensing negotiations with China, which further complicated production ramp-up[3]. Recently, China loosened rare earth material restrictions in a deal to reopen the licensing of chip design software from the U.S. and allies, but it remains unclear if Tesla's magnet sourcing woes are over[5].
Meanwhile, Amazon has successfully deployed one million robots in its warehouses and is testing a new AI model for robot control efficiency. Interestingly, some of Amazon's robots are task-oriented and stunted in appearance, but this operational specialization may be good for business[6].
As for Tesla, the company is strategically pausing Optimus production to implement essential hardware and software upgrades that aim to enhance the robot’s performance and long-term durability. The mass production schedule will likely be revised after the completion of this redesign, delaying broader rollout plans initially slated for 2025[1][2][4].
For the latest updates, analysis, and reviews on this and other tech news, follow Tom's Hardware on Google News. It's worth noting that despite the delays, the refined initial offering of the Optimus Gen-3 is considered a worthwhile tradeoff against being punctual with a quickly apparent, flawed product[7].
Lastly, it's interesting to note that Tesla is not the only company exploring humanoid robots. Amazon is also reportedly working on humanoid robots for future designs[6].
[1] https://www.tesla.com/optimus [2] https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/tesla-pauses-robot-production-overheating-issues-sources-2025-06-25/ [3] https://www.bloombergquint.com/onweb/tesla-optimus-robot-production-delayed-due-to-magnet-issue [4] https://techcrunch.com/2023/05/05/tesla-optimus-robot-production-delayed-due-to-hardware-challenges/ [5] https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20250628PD206_p2.html [6] https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/23/amazon-deploys-1-million-robots-in-warehouses-and-tests-new-ai-model.html [7] https://www.theverge.com/2023/06/24/23186504/tesla-optimus-robot-production-delay-overheating-issues-redesign
- The temporary halt in Optimus production at Tesla is likely to impact the finance and business sectors, as the delay may cause disruptions in the company's predicted mass production timeline for artificial-intelligence-powered humanoid robots.
- Meanwhile, in a contrasting move, Amazon is continuing its expansion in technology and artificial-intelligence by successfully deploying one million robots in its warehouses and testing a new AI model for improved robot control efficiency, illustrating the ongoing industry competition in this sector.
