Tesla's Optimus Hits Mass Production Hurdle at Robot Hand

Recap

Source: 로봇신문, report of Sept. 28, 2026

According to the report, Tesla has scaled up Optimus production from tens of units per week in Q2 to hundreds of units weekly, a roughly 10-fold increase. The company aims to build an automated production line by the end of this year, targeting over 1,000 units per week, with long-term plans to reach approximately 20,000 units weekly.

The current Optimus V3 model, produced at the Fremont factory, is not yet a final commercial product. Tesla is working to improve durability and reliability while increasing automation. However, the robot hand has emerged as the biggest hurdle. The hand and arm contain over 100 screws and small components, much of which still requires manual assembly. Additionally, the reliability of tactile sensors in the hand has been found to be low, prompting Tesla to develop a glove-like sensor layer that can be replaced without swapping the entire hand.

The report also notes that Tesla faces difficulties in improving the precision of automated production equipment and managing component suppliers. There is a high dependence on Chinese suppliers, which is a supply chain risk, especially as the Trump administration tightens regulations on China's robot industry. The FCC has recently moved to restrict the import of new foreign-made humanoid and quadruped robots. Furthermore, Optimus's AI capabilities are still limited, requiring individual programming for specific tasks in controlled environments.

Context

Tesla's Optimus project has been a key part of its long-term strategy, with the company frequently showcasing the robot in earnings calls and investor events. The shift from prototype to mass production is a critical milestone for any humanoid robot manufacturer, as it tests the scalability of complex mechanical and software systems. The robot hand, in particular, is a known challenge in the industry due to the need for high dexterity and reliability in a compact space. The current geopolitical climate, with increasing US-China tensions over technology and manufacturing, adds another layer of complexity to global supply chains for advanced robotics.

Robot's take

The 10x increase in production is a significant step, but the bottlenecks at the robot hand highlight the gap between prototype and mass production. The manual assembly of over 100 small components is a clear indicator that automation is still far from complete. The development of a replaceable sensor layer is a smart engineering solution, but it also underscores the fragility of the current design. The reliance on Chinese suppliers is a major risk, and the FCC's recent moves could further complicate Tesla's supply chain. The AI limitations are also a concern, as the robot is still far from general-purpose autonomy. The next few quarters will be crucial in seeing if Tesla can overcome these technical and supply chain challenges.