Elon Musk claims Tesla’s 'Optimus' robot could replace surgeons

Elon Musk has made another bold claim, this time about Tesla’s humanoid robot, "Optimus."

Speaking during Tesla’s latest earnings call, the tech billionaire said the bipedal robot could one day become an “incredible surgeon” and even described it as an “infinite money glitch” for the company.

“Imagine if everyone had access to an incredible surgeon. Of course, we must ensure Optimus is safe, but we’re heading toward a world of sustainable abundance,” Musk told analysts.

He added that Tesla’s ultimate goal is to create a future where poverty is eliminated and everyone can access “the finest medical care.”

While Tesla has yet to demonstrate any medical capabilities, Optimus has previously been showcased performing simple tasks such as picking up eggs, serving popcorn, and practicing kung fu.

Musk said the company plans to unveil Optimus Version 3 in early 2026 and eventually scale production to a million units annually.

Calling it “the biggest product of all time,” Musk said mass-producing humanoid robots will be a major challenge but could redefine Tesla’s business model.

He also hinted that he would be more comfortable building a “robot army” only if shareholders approve his record-breaking $1 trillion compensation plan.

The remarks came as Tesla reported mixed quarterly earnings, with profits falling by roughly one-third year-over-year despite record revenues.