Optimus Gen 3 deployed in Tesla factories

In January 2026, Tesla began deploying Optimus Gen 3 — its third-generation humanoid robot — on its own production lines, starting Gen 3 work at Fremont around 21 January. By early 2026, reporting indicated more than 1,000 Optimus units were operating across Tesla facilities including Giga Texas and Fremont, performing tasks such as parts handling, kitting, and connector and cable work.

Musk has positioned Optimus as potentially Tesla's most valuable product line, targeting volume production and a long-run cost near $20,000 per unit at scale. He described Gen 3 in 2026 as in its "final stages," with broader production planned later in the year; near-term targets remain ambitious and should be read as goals.

Proving the robot first inside Tesla's own factories — the toughest, most-measured environment available — is the strategy: real-world labor data to refine the hardware and AI before any external sale. (Unit counts are company/press-reported.)