Elon Musk signaled a strategic shift at Tesla, asserting that the company’s Optimus humanoid robots could ultimately account for up to 80% of Tesla’s value, even as its electric vehicle business faces declining sales. According to Ukrainian National News (UNN), which cites Bloomberg, Musk also suggested that deliveries of the robots to other companies may begin in the second half of 2026, while calling that timeline a “very rough assumption.”
Robots take center stage in Tesla’s evolving strategy
Musk has increasingly emphasized the Optimus project, despite it still being in development and not yet generating profit. He framed robots as a core pillar of Tesla’s future, coinciding with a period in which the company’s automotive performance has softened. In the first half of the year, global electric car deliveries fell by 13%, and the manufacturer risks ending the year with a second consecutive decline, UNN reports.
The remarks followed the publication of Tesla’s latest “master plan,” which officially mentioned Optimus for the first time. The company underscored the direction in a message on X, stating, “We are creating products and services that implement artificial intelligence in the physical world.”
“Very rough” timeline for potential deliveries
Musk first introduced Optimus four years ago. He now estimates that initial deliveries to external companies could start as early as late 2026, while acknowledging the uncertainty around that schedule. The emphasis on timing comes amid heightened interest in how quickly Tesla can move from demonstrations to deployments.
Context: prior plans and ongoing skepticism
UNN notes that doubts persist due to unfinished goals from Tesla’s earlier strategic documents. The “second plan” announced in 2016 envisioned electric buses, trucks, and an autonomous taxi service; many of those ambitions remain unrealized. Musk later criticized the “third plan” from 2023 for being overly complex and lacking specifics, adding to scrutiny of new roadmaps.
Despite the history of ambitious targets, Musk maintains that Optimus could underpin a technological breakthrough and a new era for Tesla. The company’s current automotive business, he indicated, may be losing momentum, but the long-term vision centers on robots that can bring AI into the physical world.
UNN’s report, citing Bloomberg, frames the shift as a recalibration of priorities: refining Tesla’s strategy around humanoid robotics while navigating short-term pressure in vehicle sales. With Optimus now explicitly included in the company’s manifesto, Tesla’s next steps will be watched for signs of progress toward the tentative 2026 delivery window.
