Tesla’s Optimus robot now integrates xAI’s AI assistant, Grok. A video demonstration, however, suggests the technology is still in development, despite aspirations for Optimus to become Tesla’s leading product.
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff shared a video on X showcasing the next-generation Optimus robot. The updated model features a gold exterior and more detailed, human-like hands. A key addition is Grok’s voice mode, enabling Optimus to understand and respond to spoken commands. The video illustrates that Optimus requires multiple prompts to initiate a simple task, specifically, retrieving a Coke from the kitchen. The robot then proceeds with slow steps, although the video concludes before the task is completed.
Elon’s Tesla Optimus 🤖🔥 is here! Dawn of the physical Agentforce revolution, tackling human work for $200K–$500K. Productivity game-changer! Congrats @elonmusk, and thank you for always being so kind to me! 🚀 #Tesla #Optimus pic.twitter.com/bA5IYIylE1
— Marc Benioff (@Benioff) September 3, 2025
This demonstration marks progress when compared to earlier versions of Optimus. Previous iterations included human-assisted robots presented at Tesla’s “We, Robot” event and robots serving popcorn at the Tesla Diner in Los Angeles. The improvements notwithstanding, the current demonstration does not indicate near-term mass production readiness.
Benioff characterized Optimus as a potential “productivity game-changer” capable of performing human tasks at a cost of $200,000 to $500,000. This statement comes after Salesforce recently eliminated 4,000 customer service positions, replacing them with AI agents.
Currently, Optimus remains in the prototype phase. Production is projected to commence in 2026. The demonstration occurred shortly after Tesla released its fourth Master Plan, which emphasizes the significance of Optimus as a central product focus. Elon Musk has stated Tesla’s intention to achieve sales of millions of Optimus units annually within four to five years.
