Jan 20 (GeokHub) Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk says production of the company’s long-anticipated Cybercab robotaxi and Optimus humanoid robot will begin at a painfully slow pace before accelerating sharply as manufacturing processes mature.
Responding to discussion on social media about Cybercab production starting within the next few months, Musk said the early ramp-up would be challenging because nearly every component and manufacturing step involved is new.
According to Musk, the more complex a product and the more original parts it requires, the slower the initial production pace. That dynamic applies strongly to both Cybercab and Optimus, which are being built from the ground up rather than adapted from existing vehicle platforms.
New Products, New Manufacturing Challenges
Tesla’s Cybercab is a two-seat autonomous vehicle designed without traditional controls such as a steering wheel or pedals. The vehicle is intended to operate exclusively as a self-driving robotaxi.
Musk said that while early output will be minimal, production speed is expected to increase dramatically once manufacturing processes stabilize. Tesla has previously indicated that volume production of Cybercab is targeted for 2026, with Optimus production hoped to begin toward the end of the year.
High Stakes for Tesla’s Valuation
Investor expectations around autonomous driving and robotics play a major role in Tesla’s market value, even though the company’s current revenue and profits still largely come from electric vehicle sales.
Musk has repeatedly positioned humanoid robots as central to Tesla’s long-term vision, arguing that Optimus could ultimately surpass the car business by performing tasks that humans are unwilling or unable to do.
Progress in Autonomous Driving
Tesla has already begun limited real-world testing of its autonomous technology. The company launched a small-scale robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, using Model Y vehicles equipped with advanced self-driving software. Early operations were restricted to specific areas and included a human safety monitor.
In recent months, Musk said Tesla has also been testing robotaxis without a safety monitor seated in the front passenger position, marking another step toward fully autonomous operation.
Long-Term Bet on Automation
While Musk has cautioned that the early stages will be slow and difficult, he remains confident that both Cybercab and Optimus will eventually scale at unprecedented speed — reinforcing Tesla’s ambition to become a leader not just in electric vehicles, but in autonomy and robotics.
