Tesla Optimus: Soon More Than Just a Car Brand?

Imagine for a moment: in a few years, when we talk about Tesla, we won’t think of its revolutionary electric cars, but of its humanoid robots. This is the shocking prediction from Jason Calacanis, an influential investor close to Elon Musk, after his recent visit to the Tesla Optimus lab in early January 2026.

What he discovered there completely changed his perception of the company. And what if Tesla’s future ultimately had nothing to do with cars?

Jason Calacanis Predicts Tesla Automotive Will Be Forgotten

Jason Calacanis is not just a simple Elon Musk fan. This American entrepreneur and angel investor co-hosts the All-In podcast, followed by millions of tech and innovation enthusiasts. His proximity to Musk and his expertise in the startup ecosystem give him significant credibility.

Yet, even for someone accustomed to ambitious announcements, his latest statement is striking:

“No one will remember that Tesla made cars. Only Optimus will be remembered.”

This radical assertion comes just after his visit to the Optimus lab in early January. For Calacanis, what he saw there completely changes the game. The electric cars that made Tesla famous? Just one chapter in a much larger story.

A prediction that obviously sparks debate, but one that deserves serious consideration.

Optimus Gen 3: What the Investor Discovered at the Lab

In early January 2026, Calacanis gained access to the inner sanctum: the Tesla lab where the third generation of the humanoid robot is being developed.

The Optimus Gen 3 prototype that he observed seems to represent a significant technological leap compared to previous versions. Even if the precise technical details remain confidential, the project’s progress visibly impressed this seasoned observer.

What could have caused such conviction? Probably a combination of fluid movements, decision-making autonomy, and interaction capabilities far superior to previous public demonstrations.

For someone who has followed Tesla for years, this qualitative leap was enough to make him envision a complete shift in the company’s identity. Not in the distant future, but in the near future.

Elon Musk’s Immense Ambitions for Optimus

One Billion Units and 80% of Tesla’s Valuation

Elon Musk never does things by halves. His goal for Optimus? To produce one billion units. Yes, you read that right: one billion humanoid robots.

According to him, Optimus will eventually represent 80% of Tesla’s valuation. He even goes so far as to state that it will be the “greatest product of all time, 10 times greater than the next one.”

To put this into context: Tesla currently produces approximately 2 million vehicles per year. We are talking about a production ambition that would exceed by several orders of magnitude everything the company has achieved in the automotive industry. The capacity of Tesla’s mass production in China could play a key role in this colossal industrial strategy.

A History of… Optimistic Predictions

Let’s be honest: Musk is known for spectacular announcements. Fully autonomous Full Self-Driving? Announced for years, still in development. Robotaxis? Postponed multiple times. And more recently, the $25,000 compact Tesla announced for the whole world continues to fuel speculation about its actual release date.

Should we, however, reject his predictions about Optimus? Not necessarily. While Musk’s deadlines are often… flexible, his visions generally end up materializing, even if years late.

Tesla did revolutionize the electric car industry when everyone was betting against them. SpaceX made rockets reusable. Prudence therefore calls for measured skepticism: neither swallowing raw figures nor rejecting the overall vision.

From Electric Car to Humanoid Robot: A Major Strategic Pivot

Tesla first became known for making electric cars desirable. The Model S, then the Model 3 and Model Y, gradually democratized automotive electrification. The Tesla Model S Plaid, which already demonstrates Tesla’s constant pursuit of innovation, illustrates this permanent quest for performance.

But on closer inspection, the transition to robotics appears as a logical evolution rather than an abrupt break.

The development of autonomous driving served as a technological bridge. Tesla has accumulated massive expertise in artificial intelligence, computer vision, and real-time data processing. All these skills are now being mobilized for Optimus.

We are actually witnessing a metamorphosis: from a car manufacturer that uses AI, Tesla is becoming an AI and robotics company that also happens to make cars. This is exactly what Calacanis’s prediction suggests.

This strategic pivot completely redefines the company’s identity and its long-term value proposition.

A Radical Societal Vision: Work Would Become Optional

Beyond the technological prowess, Musk advocates a dizzying societal vision: with enough humanoid robots, work would become optional for humanity.

Specifically, Optimus could be involved in manufacturing, personal services, logistics, and even domestic tasks. The potential concrete applications cover practically all sectors where a physical presence and dexterity are required.

This perspective obviously raises mountains of questions: What’s the timeline? What’s the cost per unit? What about social acceptability? What are the implications for employment and the economy?

Musk himself evokes a horizon where billions of humans would coexist with billions of robots. A transformation as profound as industrialization was in the 19th century.

Technological utopia or realistic anticipation? The coming months will provide concrete answers.

Jason Calacanis’s prediction may seem extravagant, but it fits into a coherent logic: the expertise accumulated by Tesla in AI, Musk’s recent statements on Optimus’s strategic importance, and now the direct testimonies from lab visitors.

Will Tesla become more famous for its robots than for its cars in 10 years? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: the ambition is there, titanic as always with Musk. And you, do you think Tesla will be more associated with Optimus than with its electric cars in a decade? 🤖