Tweet on Twitter (MENAFN) Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that the company will begin "low-volume production" of humanoid robots for internal use next year, pushing back the original timeline from the end of 2024. In a post on the social media platform X, Musk expressed hope that production of these robots, intended for other companies, would ramp up by 2026. Previously, Musk stated in April that Tesla's robot, named Optimus, would be capable of performing factory tasks by the end of this year, with potential sales starting by the end of 2025. For years, Japan’s Honda and Hyundai Motor Co.'s Boston Dynamics have been developing humanoid robots, betting on their potential to address labor shortages and execute repetitive, hazardous, or mundane tasks in logistics, warehousing, and manufacturing. Musk's latest announcement aligns Tesla with these efforts, though his track record of ambitious yet delayed promises to Wall Street suggests cautious optimism is warranted. Musk emphasized that Tesla's robots are designed to perform simple manufacturing tasks in the laboratory, with the ultimate goal of integrating them into the production process on a limited scale. This move is part of a broader trend among major tech companies, including Tesla, Amazon, Microsoft, and Nvidia, which are collectively investing billions of dollars into the development of advanced machines. These robots, currently utilized in warehouse operations, hold the potential to work alongside humans in various environments, from industrial settings to homes and offices. MENAFN23072024000045015682ID1108470415