Key Moments
- Elon Musk said initial Cybercab and Optimus production will start “agonizingly slow” before speeding up.
- Tesla reiterated it still plans volume Cybercab production in 2026.
- The shift to robotaxis and robotics comes as Tesla faces declining vehicle sales and rising competition.
Musk Says Early Production Will Be Slow
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said on Tuesday that early manufacturing of the Cybercab robotaxi and Optimus humanoid robot will move at a very slow pace. However, he expects production to speed up later.
Responding to a social media post about Cybercab production, Musk warned that “almost everything is new” for these projects. Therefore, early output will be “agonizingly slow.” He added that the pace will “eventually end up being insanely fast.”
Cybercab: Fully Autonomous Two-Seater
Tesla has pitched autonomous driving and robotics as its next growth engines. As a result, investors now watch for when these initiatives will start delivering real results.
The company said it remains on track to start volume production of Cybercab in 2026. The vehicle has two seats, no steering wheel, and no pedals. It is designed to operate as a fully autonomous robotaxi.
Tesla also deployed some robotaxi operations last year, but they did not use the Cybercab.
| Product | Description | Production Status / Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Cybercab | Two-seat EV with no manual controls, built for full autonomy | Volume production planned for 2026; early output expected to be slow |
| Optimus | Upcoming humanoid robot | Early production also expected to start slowly before ramping |
Optimus: A Long-Term Bet for Tesla
Optimus is Tesla’s upcoming humanoid robot. Musk has described it as a major long-term growth opportunity. He views both Optimus and Cybercab as key parts of Tesla’s strategy to move beyond EVs.
With the important caveat that initial production is always very slow and follows an S-curve.
The speed of the production ramp is inversely proportionate to how many new parts and steps there are.
For Cybercab and Optimus, almost everything is new, so the early production…
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 20, 2026
Tesla Shifts Strategy Amid Pressure on EV Sales
Tesla’s focus on robotics and robotaxis comes as the company faces years of falling vehicle sales. In addition, competition has grown stronger from other automakers.
Some markets have also reacted to Musk’s political involvement. As a result, Tesla may need new growth drivers to regain momentum.
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