Austin, Texas —​ Tesla is preparing to expand its Gigafactory Texas​ once again, with CEO Elon Musk​ revealing plans to build a dedicated facility​ at the site to produce 10 million units of its Optimus humanoid robot per year.
Currently, Tesla aims to begin mass production of the Optimus robot in 2027, though the timeline remains subject to development progress.
Musk did not specify when the new factory expansion would be completed, but the ambitious production target suggests a significant ramp-up in investment and hiring at the Texas facility.
The Optimus project, first unveiled in 2022, is designed to eventually automate repetitive or dangerous tasks in factories and homes. While early prototypes have demonstrated basic mobility and dexterity, full-scale production has yet to begin.
Tesla’s Gigafactory Texas, located near Austin, is already one of the company’s largest manufacturing hubs, producing Model Y electric vehicles​ and 4680 battery cells. The potential addition of a dedicated Optimus plant would mark a major expansion beyond automotive production.
Musk has previously stated that Optimus could eventually become more valuable than Tesla’s car business, emphasizing its long-term potential in industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare.
However, skeptics have questioned whether Tesla can meet its aggressive timelines, given the technical challenges of building reliable humanoid robots at scale.
The expansion comes as Tesla faces increasing competition in EVs and AI-driven automation, with rivals like BYD, Apple (in robotics R&D), and various startups​ also advancing in the space.
Tesla has not yet confirmed an official timeline or investment figure for the new Optimus facility, but industry observers expect further announcements in the coming months.