picture supply, Getty Photographs
- Creator, João da Silva and Natalie Sherman
- Function, Enterprise reporters, BBC Information
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The top of Tesla, Elon Musk, says that the electrical automobile producer will begin producing and utilizing humanoid robots subsequent 12 months.
In a social media publish, Mr Musk stated the robots could be first utilized by Tesla, which can begin promoting them in 2026.
The announcement got here because the tech billionaire pushed to chop prices at Tesla amid falling demand for its vehicles.
On Tuesday, the corporate reported income practically halved for the three months to the top of June, falling from $2.7bn (£2.09bn) to lower than $1.5bn (£1.16 billion) as a drop in gross sales damage the underside line.
“Total, our focus stays on decreasing prices throughout the corporate,” the corporate stated in an investor replace on Tuesday.
Tesla stated its automobile income fell 7 p.c 12 months over 12 months within the quarter, regardless of a wave of value cuts and different incentives aimed toward attracting clients.
It nonetheless posted a 2% total income enhance, because of development in its vitality storage enterprise.
Tesla shares fell practically eight% in after-hours buying and selling.
Mr. Musk's companies have more and more centered on applied sciences resembling synthetic intelligence, autonomous driving and robots at a time of slowing demand for electrical automobiles.
Mr Musk beforehand stated he anticipated the robotic, referred to as Optimus, to be prepared to be used in Tesla factories by the top of this 12 months.
“Tesla may have actually helpful humanoid robots in low manufacturing for inner Tesla use subsequent 12 months and hopefully excessive manufacturing for different corporations in 2026,” Musk stated on his social media platform X, previously often known as Twitter.
Different corporations, together with Honda and Boston Dynamics, have developed their very own humanoid robots.
Tesla stated it goals to construct an “autonomous humanoid robotic” to carry out “unsafe, repetitive or boring duties”.
Mr Musk beforehand stated Tesla aimed for the robots to be mass-produced and price lower than $20,000 (£17,900) every.
He’s recognized for setting formidable deadlines for his corporations, which he has not all the time met.
In 2019, he stated he felt “very assured” that Tesla would have self-driving taxis on the highway by subsequent 12 months.
Earlier this 12 months, Mr Musk stated the much-anticipated robotic taxi could be unveiled on August eight, however the occasion has apparently been pushed again.
Tesla stated Tuesday it’s nonetheless working “vigorously” on the robo-taxi, however the timing of the launch will rely partially on regulatory approval.