Part 3/11:
Elon Musk highlighted that the AI chips destined for Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, could cost around $5,000 to $6,000 or more per unit. This figure surprised many, as earlier estimates hovered around $1,000 per chip. However, Musk explained that the substantial expense stems from the complexity of the robot's actuators—particularly the hand with around 26 actuators—to mimic human dexterity.
Furthermore, Musk estimates the production cost of an Optimus robot at around $20,000 to $25,000, with a potential revenue stream of at least $80,000 annually per unit if utilized effectively. Given the substantial business potential, the initial high costs can be offset by long-term revenue generated from each robot, making the upfront expenditure justifiable.