In August 2025, Tesla self-driving taxis were navigating the streets of Austin, Texas, while the humanoid robot Optimus was serving popcorn to customers at a Tesla restaurant in Los Angeles-Musk's vision of "automated living" is gradually becoming a reality.
As the core of Tesla's transformation, the Robotaxi service is currently in its pilot phase: test vehicles in Austin still have safety drivers and operate only in specific areas. However, Musk has ambitious plans to expand the service to the San Francisco Bay Area and other locations by the end of the year, covering half of the US population. However, this process requires overcoming regulatory hurdles. California has not yet approved its testing application, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is already reviewing its FSD technology for speeding and red light running. Industry insiders believe its maturity still lags behind Waymo's.
Meanwhile, the humanoid robot Optimus has become another trump card. It's reported that the Optimus 3.0 prototype will be unveiled by the end of the year, with mass production planned for early next year. Musk has even set a goal of producing over one million units annually within five years. At a Tesla restaurant in Los Angeles, Optimus, dressed in retro uniforms, is already capable of simple tasks like delivering snacks. In the future, the company plans to expand into manufacturing and home services.
Faced with slowing growth in its traditional automotive business, Tesla is aggressively betting on new sectors. While regulatory approval for the Robotaxi and the implementation of Optimus's technology remain uncertain, Musk firmly believes that the combination of autonomous driving and robotics will reshape future life-just as the self-driving wheels on the streets of Austin and the robotic arms in restaurants are simultaneously crossing the line between science fiction and reality.