During Tesla's Q3 earnings call, CEO Elon Musk outlined a vision for the company's Optimus humanoid robots to achieve 'sustainable abundance' and eliminate global poverty. He emphasized their potential in tasks like surgery and linked further development to a proposed $1 trillion CEO pay package for greater control. Musk announced plans for Optimus Version 3 in early 2026 with production scaling to one million units annually.
Tesla's third-quarter earnings call on October 23, 2025, marked a pivotal shift in the company's direction as CEO Elon Musk unveiled an updated mission of 'sustainable abundance.' Musk declared, 'We’re excited about the updated mission of Tesla, which is sustainable abundance,' evolving from sustainable energy to a future where technology ensures prosperity for all through robotics and autonomous driving.
At the core is the Optimus humanoid robot, which Musk envisions as a tool to eradicate poverty. He stated, 'With Optimus and self-driving, that you can actually create a world where there is no poverty, where everyone has access to the finest medical care. Optimus will be an incredible surgeon, for example. And imagine if everyone had access to an incredible surgeon.' While current demonstrations have been limited, such as serving popcorn, Musk highlighted Optimus's transformative potential in performing complex tasks like surgery or household chores, powered by advanced AI.
Musk described Optimus as potentially 'the biggest product of all time,' but acknowledged the challenges in scaling production, calling large-scale humanoid manufacturing 'an incredibly difficult task.' Plans include debuting Optimus Version 3 in early 2026, with a production prototype ready by February or March and mass production starting late that year. Forecasts suggest 5,000 limited units in 2025 for internal use, rising to 50,000-100,000 in 2026 and 500,000 to one million in 2027, aiming for an 'army' of millions.
To advance this 'robot army' responsibly, Musk urged shareholders to approve a new CEO pay package worth up to $1 trillion, arguing it would give him 'strong influence' over Tesla's future direction. He said he would not feel comfortable proceeding without such control. This blend of visionary goals and corporate strategy underscores Tesla's pivot toward humanoid robotics as a cornerstone beyond electric vehicles.