Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot program has seen its most concrete timeline updates in recent earnings commentary, with internal production of the Gen 3 model slated to begin at the Fremont factory in July or August 2026 and a larger line at Giga Texas targeted for mid-2027. Recent patents detail a 22-degree-of-freedom hand design aimed at improving dexterity for factory tasks, while the AI5 chip integration is expected to enhance onboard decision-making and learning capabilities. Traders are tracking these milestones closely because external deployment—defined as useful operation outside Tesla—remains targeted for 2027, creating a narrow window that could shift if component sourcing or regulatory approvals for industrial use slip. Competitive pressure from Chinese robotics firms and other U.S. labs adds further uncertainty around first-mover advantage in scalable humanoid production.