Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) AI chief Ashok Elluswamy warned that ensuring safety for physical robots presents a significantly greater challenge than safeguarding large language models. He clarified that recent viral videos showing the company's humanoid robot performing combat moves were essentially remote-controlled.

Elluswamy Warns Physical AI Raises Stakes

Elluswamy stated on X that the robot blindly performed the moves while maintaining balance. He emphasized that AI safety for physical robots makes current large-model safeguards look like child's play. Elon Musk responded to the post with a "100" emoji, signaling agreement.

The distinction between teleoperation and autonomy is critical for Tesla's development roadmap. While teleoperation can produce impressive motion, the robot does not decide actions independently. Tesla describes its end goal for Optimus as a general-purpose, bipedal, autonomous humanoid robot capable of handling balance, navigation, perception, and interaction with the physical world.

Teleoperation Still Falls Short Of Autonomy

Musk previously highlighted this gap during Tesla's second-quarter earnings call. He noted that many impressive humanoid demonstrations online are pre-programmed or remote-controlled. No humanoid robot can yet perform generalized tasks on command without programming. The Q2 discussion underscored the challenge of turning Optimus into a genuinely general-purpose machine.

This limitation extends across the broader industry. Reuters reported that Chinese robots have demonstrated kung-fu-style moves but still struggle with dexterity and reliable autonomous factory work. The International Federation of Robotics stated that about 7,000 humanoids were sold globally in 2025. Most units are used for research and AI-data collection rather than productive commercial work.

Tesla Pushes Optimus Toward Commercial Scale

Despite these technical hurdles, Tesla is scaling its investment in the program. Elluswamy took responsibility for Optimus after program chief Milan Kovac left in June 2025. Tesla subsequently installed its first-generation Optimus production line in Fremont.

Elluswamy acknowledged that Optimus has "big shoes to fill." Musk cautioned that initial production will be "extremely slow," distinguishing the manufacturing process from standard car production. TSLA shares grew 1.63% to $370.20 during pre-market trading on Monday.

What the Numbers Show

The disparity between global sales volume and commercial utility highlights the sector's early-stage dependency on data collection. With only about 7,000 units sold globally in 2025, primarily for research, the market remains focused on generating training data rather than deploying autonomous labor. This suggests that near-term revenue from Optimus will likely be minimal compared to the capital expenditure required for scaling production lines like the one in Fremont.

Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) has reopened reservations for its next-generation Roadster, asking prospective buyers for a $50,000 payment ahead of the vehicle's October 1 debut. The automaker is accepting an initial $5,000 credit card deposit, which is fully refundable.

This move follows CEO Elon Musk’s confirmation last week that the hypercar will be unveiled on October 1, ending years of speculation about the launch timeline. Musk previously teased the reveal on X with the caption "Go for launch," alongside a graphic hinting at the vehicle's advanced capabilities.

Reservation Process and Pricing

The reservation process requires a two-step payment structure. Interested buyers must first pay $5,000 via credit card on Tesla’s website. Within 10 days of this initial payment, buyers are required to wire transfer an additional $45,000.

Tesla stated that reservations are not final until the wire transfer is received. The company emphasized that it can only provide an estimated purchase price at this stage. "We are still working on what options, features and hardware the vehicle will have and so cannot confirm the exact price just yet," Tesla said in its terms and conditions.

Upon securing a reservation, buyers will be invited to configure their vehicles as production nears. Tesla will issue an "order agreement" that can be updated if changes are made to the configuration. Reservations can be cancelled by either party as long as no "Motor Vehicle Purchase Agreement" exists, with full refunds issued in such cases.

SpaceX Package and Flying Car Hints

The upcoming unveil aligns with long-standing hints from Musk regarding a SpaceX package for the Roadster. Earlier reports suggested the vehicle has evolved from a Model S Plaid-based design into an all-new carbon-fiber hypercar.

Speculation centers on a limited-edition model equipped with cold-gas thrusters developed in collaboration with Space Exploration Technologies Corp (NASDAQ: SPCX). A hidden message in Musk’s teaser image referenced the film "Back to the Future," suggesting the car may demonstrate flight capabilities at SpaceX’s test site in McGregor, Texas.

Musk recently told the All-In Podcast audience that while success is not guaranteed, excitement is. He stressed the need for a live audience to verify that any demonstration is not AI-generated.

Trading Metrics

Tesla stock rose 0.69% to $366.79 during overnight trading following the news. At the time of the previous update, the stock was down 0.54% at $363.48. Tesla currently holds a market capitalization of $1.44 trillion.

Benzinga’s Edge Stock Rankings indicate that Tesla stock is experiencing short-term upward movement alongside medium and long-term consolidation. However, the company scores moderately on Growth and Quality metrics, while offering poor Value and Momentum.

What the Numbers Show

The reopening of reservations marks a tangible step toward commercializing the Roadster, which has been elusive since its initial tease in 2017. High-profile figures, including OpenAI’s Sam Altman and influencer Marques Brownlee, have previously made reservations. The requirement of a substantial $50,000 upfront commitment signals Tesla’s intent to gauge serious buyer interest before finalizing pricing and features, balancing hype with financial validation.