Elon Musk says Tesla's humanoid robot prototype will be ready by 2022


If you can't stand grocery shopping and don't mind having a humanoid robot picking out your vegetables, read on.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced on Thursday that the company expects to have a prototype of a humanoid robot — dubbed the Tesla Bot — ready by next year. "It should be able to, you know, please go to the store and get me the following groceries, that kind of thing," Musk said.
He shared the news during Tesla's AI Day, saying the robot will use an artificial intelligence system that is based on the self-driving tech in Tesla cars. "It's intended to be friendly, of course, and navigate through a world of humans, and eliminate dangerous, repetitive, and boring tasks," Musk said. While he does see the Tesla Bot as being able to drive down labor costs, Musk said Tesla won't be using it to assist with the company's manufacturing.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
As part of his presentation, Musk shared a slide with details on the Tesla Bot, revealing that it is expected to weigh 125 pounds and stand five feet, eight inches tall. The robot will have "human-level hands" and the ability to carry 45 pounds, lift 150 pounds, and run five miles per hour. Before you begin building your bunker to wait out the inevitable robot apocalypse, take some solace in knowing Musk said Tesla Bot is being designed so humans can either run from or overtake it. Start practicing now.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Exurbs: America's biggest housing trend you haven't heard of
Under the Radar Northeastern exurbs were the nation's biggest housing markets in 2024
-
How to enjoy a coolcation in Sweden
The Week Recommends You won't break a sweat on Lake Asnen or underground at the Adventure Mine
-
Crossword: May 8, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
-
How could Tesla replace Elon Musk?
Today's Big Question The company's CEO is its 'greatest asset and gravest risk'
-
Warren Buffet announces surprise retirement
speed read At the annual meeting of Berkshire Hathaway, the billionaire investor named Vice Chairman Greg Abel his replacement
-
Trump calls Amazon's Bezos over tariff display
Speed Read The president was not happy with reports that Amazon would list the added cost from tariffs alongside product prices
-
Markets notch worst quarter in years as new tariffs loom
Speed Read The S&P 500 is on track for its worst month since 2022 as investors brace for Trump's tariffs
-
Elon Musk: has he made Tesla toxic?
Talking Point Musk's political antics have given him the 'reverse Midas touch' when it comes to his EV empire
-
What does Musk's 'Dexit' from Delaware mean for the future of US business?
Talking Points A 'billionaires' bill' could limit shareholder lawsuits
-
Tesla Cybertrucks recalled over dislodging panels
Speed Read Almost every Cybertruck in the US has been recalled over a stainless steel panel that could fall off
-
Crafting emporium Joann is going out of business
Speed Read The 82-year-old fabric and crafts store will be closing all 800 of its stores