Optimus deliveries delayed to late 2027 as hands remain a key challenge
The push for Optimus deliveries has been moved to late 2027 due to ongoing issues with the robot's hands.
By Robert Hayes ·
Tesla has postponed the start of Optimus deliveries to outside customers until late 2027, as the hands, durability, and AI of the robot still require significant improvements. Elon Musk acknowledged that the hands are the main issue, as they need to be soft enough to handle delicate objects while withstanding constant wear, and robots can’t heal like human skin can. He also mentioned that the AI architecture and electromechanical design still need work before the end of next year.
Tesla has started early production of Optimus on its high-volume line in Fremont, but it will take at least a year, possibly longer, to reach a rate of about 20,000 units a week. This delay is due to the fact that most of a line designed for a million robots a year is installed, but parts of the design are still changing.
The same problems reported last month remain unresolved, with the hand and forearm having over 100 small parts assembled by hand, and touch sensors having reliability issues. The AI also requires days to learn basic tasks, as seen in Tesla’s own Q3 shareholder letter, which calls the bots coming off the Fremont line “the first production-quality bots that we have manufactured.”
XPeng and Boston Dynamics, both of which have made significant strides in the development of humanoid robots, look at least as far along as Tesla. XPeng has ramped up production of IRON, its own humanoid robot, and plans mass production by the end of 2026. Boston Dynamics has also made progress, with its electric Atlas already in use in a car factory and committed customers.
Tesla may have the most robots built, but making them useful is the real challenge. If Tesla can deliver on its promise of a video in a month or two showing Optimus doing real, unscripted work, it will be a significant step forward. However, based on past experience, delays are likely to continue.
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Source: Electrek
