Not a Tesla App reports Musk said at the November 6 Baron conference Tesla would probably rent Optimus robots.
The big change
- Rental economics depend on terms and demonstrated capability.
- Musk's estimates for building Optimus are production costs, not prices charged to customers.
- Tesla says development and production remain works in progress, with outside deliveries a future goal.
An idea, not an offer
According to Not a Tesla App, Musk agreed with a suggested initial manufacturing cost of roughly $30,000, potentially falling toward $20,000 over time. He did not disclose a rental price.
Rental could shift the decision from purchasing a machine outright to paying for access. But the useful comparison would depend on the eventual price, support, duration and actual ability to perform the intended work. The conference account specifies no rental terms, leaving that calculation unresolved.
What remains to be built
On Tesla's October earnings call, Musk said early production had started on a Fremont line. He expected at least a year to reach its targeted annualized rate and described continuing work on the robot's AI, design and reliability. He anticipated deliveries to outside companies around the end of 2027; that was a forecast, not a confirmed shipment or contract.
On the call, Musk suggested initial industrial tasks and an Optimus Academy for robot practice; plans do not establish reliable performance at a customer's site. The conference account also reports his productivity projection exceeding a human worker's, without independently demonstrated results.
For organizations considering automation, the difference matters: the cost of building hardware, the conditions under which it can work and the charge to a customer are separate questions. Customer terms and results remain unknown.
