Elon Musk Predictions for Tesla's Optimus

This week Elon made some crazy predictions for Optimus and ARK Invest released a new market report on humanoid robotics.

Also, we're starting to see humanoid companies sign up partners to help them with the deployment and servicing of their robots.

Let's dive in...

Elon Musk Predictions for Tesla's Optimus

Elon Musk predicts that by 2030, Tesla's Optimus humanoid robots will be produced at a rate of one million units annually, with a price tag of $20,000 each.

He envisions widespread demand for these robots, eventually leading to a future where the number of robots surpasses the human population.

ARK Invest Releases New Humanoid Robot Report

ARK Invest released a new report highlighting the potential for humanoid robots. According to the report, humanoid robots are a $24+ trillion global opportunity.

The report also highlights that the U.S. manufacturing industry employs nearly 12 million workers who produce $2.4 trillion annually. If robots replaced human workers and operated 16 hours per day, only 5.9 million robots—half the current workforce—would be required to maintain the same production level.

This shift could significantly reduce labor costs and transform the manufacturing landscape.

Source: Ark Invest 

A Walking Robot Controlled by a Mushroom?

Cornell University researchers have developed biohybrid robots controlled by fungal mycelia, allowing them to respond to environmental stimuli more effectively than synthetic systems. Two robots—a spider-shaped one and a wheeled version—use Mycelia’s electrical signals to control movement. 

These robots adapted their behavior in real-time when exposed to UV light, showcasing the potential for future applications like agriculture, where they could monitor soil conditions.

This research advances biohybrid robotics and points to a future where robots interact with living systems to better navigate unpredictable environments.

Source: Institution of Mechanical Engineers

Ricoh Providing Customer Support for Agility Robotics

Agility Robotics has partnered with Ricoh USA to boost customer support for its humanoid robot, Digit, across North America. Using Ricoh’s Service Advantage program, Agility will strengthen its service infrastructure to support larger deployments of Digit.

Ricoh’s lifecycle management will help Agility reduce costs and expand into new markets. The partnership includes support for Agility’s cloud platform, Agility Arc, which manages Digit fleets.

This collaboration aims to speed up the adoption of humanoid robots. Digit was recently named 2024 Robot of the Year for its commercial potential.

Source: The Robot Report