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Tesla’s Optimus is facing more pressure from rivals in China and the U.S.
Tesla’s (TSLA) humanoid robot Optimus is likely feeling a little Pessimus today as it faces a double-pronged attack from Chinese rival Unitree Robotics and U.S. tech giant OpenAI.
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Dancing and Kicking
Unitree, according to the South China Morning Post, today put out a social media video post showing its new H2 model, which promises to be its most humanlike to date. In the video, the model reportedly performed a series of athletic dance moves such as pirouettes and arabesques.
The 180-cm tall robot which weighs 70kg, featured the tagline: “Destiny Awakening – born to serve everyone safely and in a friendly manner.”
Not exactly living up to that Buddha-like mantra the H2 then launched into a series of kickboxing moves, as well as strutting down a fashion catwalk. Not at the same time, unfortunately.
Unitree, which is also limbering up for a $7 billion IPO later this year in China, has also had its products on sale on U.S. retail chain Walmart (WMT).
The two models listed were the Unitree G1 humanoid robot and the Go2 Robot Dog. The G1, standing at 130cm and weighing 35kg, was priced at $21,600 on Walmart, representing a 57% premium over its $13,500 price tag in mainland China.
The Go2 Robot Dog, a quadruped model, was listed for $2,399 on Walmart.
OpenAI Joins the Human Race
What then of OpenAI?
Again, according to the South China Morning Post, it has been ramping up the importation of drive modules for humanoid robots from Suzhou-based manufacturer MyActuator ahead of President Trump’s 100% tariffs on China.
The surge has primarily been driven by joint modules used in humanoid robots, each costing several thousand yuan. Major clients that placed last-minute orders include OpenAI and the Bot Company, according to the report.
The two moves will be seen as another blow to U.S. robot makers like Tesla and Boston Dynamics.
That’s because U.S. robots like Tesla’s much-hyped Optimus robot are not yet commercially available in the U.S.
The Optimus robot is still in development. According to Musk, Optimus units are already doing simple work in Tesla facilities. He has projected production of 5,000 robots in 2025, scaling to 1 million per year by 2029 and becoming an important part of the Tesla ecosystem.
Tesla expects to launch Optimus 3 prototypes by the end of 2025, with mass production set to begin in 2026. Each unit is expected to cost between $20,000 and $30,000. Sales will start with businesses and then expand to consumers.
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