During a call with investors to announce Tesla’s third-quarter results, CEO Elon Musk again threatened to quit if he wasn’t given a $1 trillion compensation package. He also made some strange statements about scaling up Tesla’s Optimus robots.
During a call with investors to announce Tesla’s third-quarter results, CEO Elon Musk again threatened to quit if he wasn’t given a $1 trillion compensation package. He also made some strange statements about scaling up Tesla’s Optimus robots.
Musk could receive the unprecedented package, which shareholders are expected to vote on next month, if Tesla reaches some significant milestones, including 20 million cars delivered, one million robo-taxis, and one million Optimus humanoid robots, Futurism reports.
During the conference call, Mas made some extremely strange remarks that may shed light on his motivation to aggressively pursue a 25% stake in the company instead of the current 13%.
«If we create this army of robots, will I at least have a strong influence over this army of robots? Not control, but strong influence… I don’t feel comfortable creating this army of robots unless I have a strong influence over it,» he asked investors.
The repeated use of the word «army» in the context of robots has drawn attention and led to speculation that Musk is considering using Optimus’ technology in the miltech industry. Previously, the company’s marketing has suggested more mundane and home-oriented options.
Three and a half years after Optimus was announced, Tesla hasn’t really ramped up production of its bipedal humanoid. The company reportedly fell well short of Musk’s stated goal of building 5,000 Optimus robots this year, let alone his promise to produce 100,000 Optimus robots per month by «next year.»
During a conference call earlier this month, Musk said the company would have a «production prototype» of Optimus ready by early next year, with production starting by the end of 2026.
He said the robot could be an «endless source of money» that could take Tesla’s profits to the next level. Musk also suggested that the company’s bipedal robot would also be an «incredible surgeon.»
«Imagine if everyone had access to an incredible surgeon. Of course, we have to make sure Optimus is safe and all that. But I really think we’re moving towards a world of sustainable abundance,» Musk said. He added that Tesla’s goal is to create a world without poverty, where everyone has access to «the best healthcare.»
