In a stunning reveal that signals Tesla’s bold push into robotics, Lars Moravy, Tesla’s VP of Vehicle Engineering, has unveiled new details about Optimus Gen3, the latest iteration of Tesla’s humanoid robot. According to Moravy, Optimus is now ready for extreme scale production — and the secret lies in Tesla’s unique, vertically integrated engineering approach.

Gen3: Smarter, Stronger, Simpler

Optimus Gen3 features major improvements in mobility, efficiency, and cost reduction over its predecessor. The robot now walks with near-human fluidity, can lift over 30 kg with ease, and uses next-generation Tesla-designed actuators, manufactured in-house with fewer parts and higher durability.

“We’ve reduced the actuator complexity by 70% while increasing strength and response time,” said Moravy. “That’s not just evolution — that’s a leap.”

The robot is powered by Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) AI stack, running on the latest Dojo-optimized chipsets. Gen3 now operates fully untethered in factory environments and is being tested in live production lines at Giga Texas and Fremont, performing tasks from sorting materials to assembling light components.

Tesla’s Secret Engineering Weapon

Moravy emphasized that Tesla’s unmatched ability to scale complex systems — from EVs to energy products — stems from its integrated engineering philosophy. By controlling hardware and software under one roof, Tesla can iterate faster than traditional robotics companies.

“Other companies design for research. We design for production,” Moravy said. “That’s the real power behind Tesla — our ability to go from concept to gigafactory.”

He pointed to key breakthroughs such as custom harmonic drives, lightweight structural composites, and Tesla’s own AI training infrastructure as reasons why Gen3 is not just another robotics demo, but a platform ready for global deployment.

Ready for the Real World

Tesla plans to begin limited external deployment of Optimus Gen3 in late 2025, with the first units expected to work in logistics, manufacturing, and warehouse automation. Musk has previously hinted that Optimus may eventually assist in Tesla service centers and even in customer-facing roles.

With projected production volumes reaching tens of thousands of units by 2026, Optimus is no longer a side project — it’s central to Tesla’s long-term mission.

What’s Next?

Elon Musk has described Optimus as “the most important product Tesla is working on.” With Gen3 now entering pre-mass production and proving useful in Tesla’s own factories, it seems the robotics revolution Musk predicted is beginning — on Tesla’s terms.

As the world watches, the question is no longer whether humanoid robots are coming — but whether anyone else can keep up.