Elon Musk’s prediction about 10 billion humanoid robots
In this DML Report…
Elon Musk predicted that humanoid robots will outnumber humans in the future, estimating a ratio of ten robots per person, which could mean over 10 billion robots worldwide. Speaking in a video tied to Tesla’s mass production plans, Musk confirmed the company aims to produce 10,000 Optimus robots—also called Tesla Bots—by the end of 2025, following their 2021 debut. He stated these robots, designed with arms and legs instead of wheels, will use the same tech as Tesla cars, including batteries, motors, and AI, with a starting price of $20,000 to $30,000 for individual buyers.
Musk’s vision builds on Optimus’s latest iteration, showcased in a video where its human-like walk raised eyebrows online, with some X users likening it to sci-fi scenarios from “I, Robot” or “Terminator.” He argued that robots will handle tasks like teaching, babysitting, or mowing lawns, making physical work optional for humans—a shift he’s long tied to the need for universal basic income as jobs vanish. Tesla’s push follows Musk’s history of bold claims, like his 2017 warning that AI poses an “existential risk” to civilization, yet he’s now driving the robot surge, claiming it’s a natural evolution from car tech to humanoid forms.
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The announcement has sparked concern, not celebration, among some observers, with fears of robots becoming too human-like fueling debates on X about control and safety. Musk, unfazed, doubled down on their utility, noting Optimus’s development mirrors Tesla’s AI advances, like those acing AP Biology exams. Critics point to his past flip-flops—warning of AI dangers while building it—raising questions about unchecked rollout risks. Tesla’s 10,000-unit target by year-end marks a concrete step, but no hard data backs the 10 billion figure, leaving it a speculative Musk hallmark as the robot revolution looms.