Tesla workers balk at training Optimus humanoid robots as replacements
Despite challenges, Tesla aims for 1,000 Optimus robots per week by end of 2026.
Despite challenges, Tesla aims for 1,000 Optimus robots per week by end of 2026.
The short version
- Tesla’s pivot from making electric cars to humanoid robots is facing challenges because of complex robot hands and disgruntled employees pushing back against training their robotic replacements.
- The struggle to scale up production comes as Tesla CEO Elon Musk has bet the company’s future on AI and robotics.
- Tesla’s Fremont factory in California has already stopped making the Model S sedan and Model X SUV as of May 2026, with the company switching both line workers and engineers over to working on Optimus, according to The Information.
What happened
But the newest version of Optimus, called Optimus V3, has proven challenging from a development and manufacturing standpoint. The Information’s reporting describes troubles with getting production line equipment to precisely line up components, along with limitations in running the production line too fast.
Why it matters
Tesla has reportedly scaled up production to hundreds of robots per week—but the company is targeting production numbers surpassing 1,000 robots per week by the end of 2026.
Summary by Nerd News Network. Read the full article at Ars Technica — AI via the links above and below.