GLJ Research analyst Gordon Johnson has expressed skepticism about Tesla’s humanoid robot ambitions, likening the Optimus robot to decades-old animatronics. Johnson predicts that Tesla will not sell any Optimus robots in 2026, casting doubt on Elon Musk’s aggressive timeline for the project.
Criticism of Optimus Technology
Johnson shared his criticism on social media, reposting comments from The Dawn Project founder Dan O’Dowd, who attended a recent Tesla event featuring Optimus serving popcorn. Johnson stated that Tesla’s robot resembles “1980s Chuck E. Cheese animatronics-level tech” and will not sell any units in 2026.
Teleoperation Allegations
O’Dowd alleged that the Optimus demonstration was staged and that Tesla employees acknowledged the robot was being teleoperated, rather than functioning autonomously. He also stated that staff could not confirm how many Optimus units Tesla has built, despite Musk previously stating that Tesla would have 10,000 robots by the end of the year.
Musk’s Big Promises vs On-The-Ground Reality
Musk has repeatedly described Optimus as the “most sophisticated” humanoid robot on Earth, saying it could account for 80% of Tesla’s future value, help solve labor shortages, eradicate poverty, and even perform surgery. However, separate footage from Tesla’s Miami Autonomy Visualized event showed an Optimus robot collapsing, fueling speculation that the robot was remotely controlled.
Future of Optimus
Tesla says Optimus remains in development and expects mass production to begin soon. The company has floated a future price range of $20,000 to $30,000 per robot at scale. However, with skepticism surrounding the robot’s technology and functionality, it remains to be seen whether Tesla can meet its ambitious goals for Optimus.
Key Points
- GLJ Research analyst Gordon Johnson criticizes Optimus technology as “unsophisticated”
- Dan O’Dowd alleges that the Optimus demonstration was staged and teleoperated
- Musk describes Optimus as the “most sophisticated” humanoid robot on Earth
- Tesla expects mass production of Optimus to begin soon
- The company has floated a future price range of $20,000 to $30,000 per robot at scale
Conclusion
The future of Tesla’s Optimus robot is uncertain, with skepticism surrounding its technology and functionality. While Musk has made big promises about the robot’s potential, it remains to be seen whether Tesla can deliver on its ambitious goals. As the company continues to develop and refine Optimus, it will be important to watch for updates on its progress and any potential setbacks.