Elon Musk lied: Tesla’s Optimus robot turns out to be a pipe dream

Until recently, Elon Musk claimed that Tesla’s Optimus robot was already deployed in the company’s factories and could be ready for sale to private customers by 2027. However, this now appears to be far from the truth. Contrary to earlier statements, not a single Optimus unit is currently performing productive work in Tesla’s plants. Musk himself confirmed during the latest earnings call that the robot remains in development and is currently being trained – “it’s more so that the robot can learn,” as he put it – rather than actually assisting in production.

This also casts earlier statements from 2024 and 2025 in a new light – claims that spoke of fully autonomous robots and thousands of units expected by the end of 2025. In reality, only a handful of prototypes currently exist, some of which rely on teleoperation, meaning they are remotely controlled rather than autonomous. On Reddit, Elon Musk is now facing heavy criticism. Many users describe him as a “liar” and a “fraud,” accusing him of deliberately spreading false information. One user, u/Real-Technician83, wrote: “He has learned that lies pump the stock more than admitting them later drops the value.”

Optimus Gen 3, announced for release in Q1 2026, is expected to mark a potential turning point. According to Tesla, this new generation would be the first designed with future mass production in mind, featuring a redesigned hand system and the ability to learn through observation, voice commands or video input. Even so, production would likely not begin until late 2026 – and would require a lengthy ramp-up phase, given the need to establish an entirely new supply chain. In light of the recent revelations, however, it remains uncertain whether this third generation will deliver the long-awaited breakthrough many have been hoping for.