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NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang believes Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot could unlock a multi-trillion-dollar market by transforming industries through AI-driven automation. According to Huang, Tesla Optimus could create one of the largest new markets in technology, reshaping labor, manufacturing, and services.
An old video of NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang resurfaced at the beginning of 2026. Huang declared Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot capable of “igniting the next multi-trillion dollar industry.”
Huang praised Elon Musk, calling him an “extraordinary engineer” he loves working with. He highlighted their “deep collaboration, building massive AI supercomputers with NVIDIA GPUs powering Tesla’s autonomous driving and xAI’s Grok models.”
Huang labeled Optimus as a “gigantic opportunity” arriving “right around the corner,” which is “uniquely positioned for high-volume production and mass deployment.”
The clip was widely shared on X on New Year’s Day. Huang’s comments underscore enduring confidence in the NVIDIA-Tesla partnership as humanoid robotics accelerates.
Optimus, named after a Transformers character, is a humanoid machine. Tesla first unveiled Optimus in 2021 as a concept, followed by walking prototypes in 2022. It received a significant advancement in Gen 2 by late 2023. Optimus demonstrated improved dexterity, faster walking, and delicate object handling, like sorting blocks or folding shirts.
Tesla demonstrated more fluid movement and task performance in 2025. Elon Musk also announced his plans to deploy thousands of units in factories for internal use. The company is expected to produce 100,000 by late 2026.
Optimus is engineered for unsafe tasks like factory assembly, logistics, and household work to address labor shortages.
Competition is intensifying in the robotics sector across the globe. Startups like Figure and Agility Robotics are receiving massive funding. On the other hand, Chinese firms are targeting thousands of units in 2025-2026 from producers like Agibot and BYD.
Achieving human-level dexterity and safety in dynamic environments demands a high cost of manufacturing. Ethical concerns around job displacement are another regulatory hurdle for companies.
Also Read: Tesla Hit with $51 Million Lawsuit After Robot Knocks Out Factory Worker
Musk has earlier predicted the importance of Optimus for Tesla’s automotive business. Huang’s endorsement signals a strong conviction in Optimus as the breakthrough leader. Analysts project that the total addressable market for humanoid robots could reach $9 trillion by 2050. It is driven by hardware, software ecosystems, maintenance, and productivity gains.
