Tesla Optimus V2.5

Optimus V2.5 is an interim version of Tesla's humanoid, shown in September 2025 as a gold unit talking through Grok voice. Elon Musk stressed it was "version 2.5", not the third generation. Tesla has not published a full spec sheet for it.

History and launch

After the AI Day 2022 prototype, Tesla revealed Optimus Gen 2 in December 2023: about 10 kg lighter, 30% faster at walking, with 11-DoF hands carrying tactile sensors on every finger, a 2-DoF actuated neck and feet with force/torque sensing.

In early September 2025, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff posted a video of a gold Optimus answering questions. Musk clarified that it was version 2.5. In the clip the robot chats, offers to take the questioner to the kitchen for a Coke and walks slowly down a hallway, but no grasping is shown.

Hardware

Compared with Gen 2, version 2.5 has smoother, rounder shell panels, better-covered joints, fewer visible seams and wires and a uniform metallic finish. Tesla has not officially stated its weight, degree-of-freedom count, battery runtime or walking speed, so such figures in third-party tables should be treated as estimates.

The headline hardware change promised for the next generation (V3) is a new hand with 22 degrees of freedom.

Software and AI

Version 2.5 speaks through Grok voice mode from xAI. In the published video the robot admitted it lacked real-time information and the exchange had noticeable pauses. Commentators noted the demo said little about autonomy or dexterity.

Use cases and deployments

Second-generation and interim Optimus units have appeared in public, for example serving popcorn at the Tesla Diner. Tesla says the first real job for the robots will be inside its own factories, on repetitive, boring or dangerous tasks.

Successor and production plans

At the end of March 2026 Musk wrote that Optimus 3 was walking but needed finishing touches before being shown. Tesla is ending Model S and Model X production to make room in Fremont for an Optimus line designed for a long-term rate of one million robots a year, with a 10-million-a-year plant planned in Texas. As of this update we found no report of an official V3 unveiling.

Price and availability

Version 2.5 is not for sale. Musk's long-term price target for Optimus is roughly $20,000 to $30,000 per unit.

Timeline

• 2023-12 Optimus Gen 2: 10 kg lighter, 30% faster, new hands
• 2025-09 Video of the gold Optimus V2.5 talking via Grok
• 2026-03 Musk: Optimus 3 is walking, reveal postponed

Sources

1. Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot struggles in Grok demo, Interesting Engineering (2025-09-08)
2. Tesla Unveils Optimus Robot Gen 2, Not a Tesla App (2023-12)
3. Tesla Delays Optimus Gen 3 Unveil for 'Finishing Touches', Not a Tesla App (2026-03-31)
4. Optimus (robot), Wikipedia (2026-09)

Updated: 2026-10-10

Compared with the catalogue

• At 173 cm the Tesla Optimus V2.5 is taller than 60% of the humanoids in the catalogue (median: 170 cm).
• It has 28 degrees of freedom against a catalogue median of 28; more degrees of freedom usually means finer arm and hand movement.
• Its weight of 57 kg (catalogue median: 65 kg) matters for transport and for working around people.
• It is one of 4 Tesla models in the catalogue and one of 43 humanoids from USA.

Capabilities