Entrepreneur Jason Calacanis predicts that Tesla's car-making days will be overshadowed by its humanoid robot Optimus. In a recent podcast, he argued that the company's focus on AI and robotics will redefine its identity. Calacanis's views align with CEO Elon Musk's ambitious projections for Optimus.
Entrepreneur and angel investor Jason Calacanis shared his vision for Tesla's future on the All-In podcast, suggesting that the company's automotive division will eventually be forgotten—not as a negative, but as a sign of greater achievements ahead.
Calacanis, who visited Tesla's Optimus lab earlier this month, inspected the Optimus Gen 3 prototype and observed engineers advancing the project. He stated, “Nobody will remember that Tesla ever made a car. They will only remember the Optimus.” He further noted that Elon Musk plans to produce a billion units of the robot.
This perspective echoes Musk's own statements. The Tesla CEO has described Optimus as “the biggest product of all-time by far. Nothing will even be close. I think it’ll be 10 times bigger than the next biggest product ever made.” Musk has also estimated that 80 percent of Tesla’s value will derive from Optimus.
For years, Tesla's spotlight has been on vehicle releases, delivery numbers, and self-driving technology like Full Self-Driving. However, Calacanis believes the shift to real-world AI and robotics, particularly through Optimus, will transform the company. The humanoid robot aims to revolutionize daily life, with Musk suggesting that its deployment could make traditional work optional.
Tesla's ambitions for Optimus highlight a bold future where AI-driven robots play a central role in society, potentially eclipsing the electric vehicle legacy that built the company.