Tesla plans to put Optimus to work charging robotaxis, but ultimately replace the robot too
Tesla has identified the first specific task for its Optimus humanoid robot in servicing robotaxis. In future, the robot is expected to connect the driverless Cybercab’s charging cable, replacing the people currently doing the job. The solution is temporary, however: Tesla’s ultimate goal is fully automated wireless charging, which would also make Optimus’s help unnecessary.
A driverless car needs a person to charge it
Tesla’s head of vehicle engineering Lars Moravy and Cybercab programme manager Eric Earley explained in an interview with Munro Live that company employees currently connect robotaxis to Superchargers.
The Cybercab can drive to a charging spot and park on its own, but still needs help from a person to connect the cable. Tesla therefore retained a conventional NACS charging port in the Cybercab, which was originally designed for wireless charging.
Moravy hopes Optimus will take over this task soon. However, the company did not disclose a specific deployment date.
80 wireless charging spots planned for Austin
Tesla is also developing an inductive charging system that would allow the Cybercab to charge without a physical cable connection.
In Austin, Texas, the company is planning a robotaxi service centre with up to 80 wireless charging spots.
This solution would allow cars to charge autonomously and reduce labour requirements. However, Tesla still has to demonstrate that the efficiency, power and cost of wireless charging are suitable for serving a large robotaxi fleet.
Optimus could become a mobile maintenance worker
Connecting a charging cable could be Optimus’s first task, but Tesla sees broader uses for the robot. In future, it could help maintain cars and carry out logistics tasks.
Optimus is currently in the early stages of production, and Tesla has not demonstrated its ability to work independently and reliably at charging stations. The company plans its first customer deliveries for 2027.
In Europe, autonomous driving regulations are one obstacle to the expansion of robotaxi services. At the same time, automated charging also offers opportunities for conventional electric vehicle fleets, where vehicles need to move between chargers without continuous human labour.
The paradox in Tesla’s plan is clear: the company is developing a complex humanoid robot for a task that wireless charging could eliminate entirely. Optimus’s true value will therefore only become clear when the robot can also perform other maintenance and servicing tasks.
