Tesla Optimus Robot Dances Its Way Into the Spotlight — Elon Musk Says It Could Be Bigger Than Cars
Elon Musk has once again set social media buzzing, this time with a video of Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, showing off some surprisingly smooth dance moves. Shared on X (formerly Twitter), the clip highlights how far the company has come since first teasing the robot back in 2021.
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Initially introduced during Tesla’s annual AI Day, Optimus was once represented by a human in a robot suit dancing on stage. Now, four years later, the robot itself is doing the dancing — and it’s not just for show.
From Dance Floors to Factory Floors
The EV giant has been steadily developing its humanoid robot project. Last year, multiple Optimus bots were seen at the “We, Robot” event, not just dancing, but also serving drinks and interacting with guests — a clear sign of Tesla’s growing confidence in the robot’s abilities.
The latest dance video, with coordinated moves and fluid motion, shows how Elon Musk’s AI empire is fine-tuning both the form and function of the robot, suggesting that real-world applications are not too far off.
Where Does Tesla Stand Among Robot Giants?
Despite the excitement, even Musk’s own AI assistant, Grok, offered a realistic take. When asked to rank top humanoid robot manufacturers as of May 2025, Grok listed:
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Boston Dynamics (Atlas) – for dynamic movement and parkour
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Figure AI (Figure 01/02) – for real-world autonomous tasks
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Agility Robotics (Digit) – widely used in warehouse logistics
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UBTECH (Walker S1) – focused on automotive assembly
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Tesla (Optimus) – praised for mobility but still early in real-world use
Still, Tesla’s presence on the list signals strong potential.
Big Ambitions for a $25 Trillion Future
In Tesla’s Q1 2025 shareholder letter, the company confirmed limited production of Optimus is already underway at its Fremont Factory, with plans to scale up to 1,000 units this year for internal use. Sales to the public could begin by 2026.
Elon Musk believes the Tesla Optimus could eventually outpace the company’s vehicle business in terms of value — even estimating a market worth of $25 trillion. The goal? Automate repetitive, low-skill jobs and usher in what Musk calls an “age of abundance”.