Tesla Robot Reservations Coming Soon

Tesla plans to open customer reservations for its Optimus humanoid robot in early December. This move would mark the first time the company allows consumers to join a waiting list for its unproven hardware. The initial shipments are not expected to arrive for another year, giving potential buyers time to save for the unit. Industry sources estimate the starting price will be over $20,000.

Modar Alaoui, a robotics investor at ALM Ventures, provided the timeline based on information from the company. He stated that Tesla intends to time the launch with his upcoming conference. The Humanoids Summit is scheduled for December 1 and 2 in San Mateo, California. Tesla is a key partner for the event and plans to demonstrate the Optimus V3 model there. The V3 is the first generation intended for commercial sale, as previous versions served primarily as prototypes.

The company has dedicated significant resources to the project. In January, CEO Elon Musk announced that Tesla would cease production of its Model X and Model S vehicles. The company converted sections of its Fremont factory to manufacture the robots. Musk confirmed on the company's October earnings call that production has begun at the facility. He projects the site will produce 20,000 robots per week by the end of 2027.

Musk appeared to contradict the December reservation timeline on Friday afternoon. He posted the word "No" on X in response to questions about the waitlist. Tesla did not respond to requests for comment regarding the discrepancy. The CEO previously stated that the robot faces challenges with artificial intelligence and electromechanical design. He expects these issues to be resolved by the end of next year, which is when he anticipates deliveries to external companies will begin.

While most units will go to businesses, a small number will be available to individual consumers. The robots are designed for general tasks, including monitoring children, walking dogs, and cooking. However, at-home environments present complex challenges for the machines. Every household layout differs, and robots must account for the movements of people and animals. Musk has said Tesla needs to produce between 10,000 and 20,000 units to gather the data necessary for training.

The market for consumer humanoids is still emerging. Competitors like 1X, Neura Robotics, and Humanoid have already opened waitlists for their respective models. 1X, based in Palo Alto, opened reservations for its $20,000 robot last year but has not made deliveries. Chinese manufacturers have begun delivering units domestically, though their capabilities are limited. Boston Dynamics and Figure have not yet created public waiting lists for their products.

Tesla has a history of long reservation periods. The company has accepted reservations for its Roadster for a decade. Potential buyers paid more than $50,000 to join that list, yet no vehicles have been delivered. The Optimus project relies on similar enthusiasm, with executives betting that early adopters will tolerate the wait for a technology that has not yet proven its utility in diverse home settings.