Elon Musk Predicts: Optimus Robot Will Cost Under $20,000

Tesla’s Humanoid Robot Aims to Revolutionize Automation at an Affordable Price

In a bold prediction that could reshape both the robotics industry and home automation, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has stated that the company’s highly anticipated Optimus humanoid robot will eventually cost less than $20,000. This aggressive pricing strategy aims to make advanced robotics accessible to businesses and consumers alike, potentially transforming how we live and work in the coming years.

During Tesla’s “We, Robot” event in October 2024, Musk revealed that the company is targeting a price range of $20,000 to $30,000 for the Optimus robot once production scales up. “The robot will cost less than a car,” Musk stated, adding that the long-term price would likely settle in the $20,000 range. This represents a fraction of the cost of competing humanoid robots from other companies, which typically cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The aggressive pricing strategy aligns with Tesla’s broader mission of accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable energy and advanced technology. Just as Tesla worked to make electric vehicles increasingly affordable, the company appears to be applying the same approach to robotics—start with cutting-edge technology and gradually drive down costs through economies of scale and manufacturing innovation.

According to reports from multiple sources, Musk has consistently emphasized that the $20,000 target price will be achievable once Tesla reaches mass production of the robots. In a March 2024 statement, he suggested that the Optimus robot should cost “less than half of a car,” which, based on current average vehicle prices, translates to approximately $20,000 to $25,000.