Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Tesla Optimus Gen 3 Models Surface Ahead of Production
Tesla is making a human-shaped robot called Optimus.
New pictures of a possible third-generation model were reportedly found in Tesla’s app.
The pictures show a smoother robot with covered joints and more finished-looking hands.
Tesla has not officially confirmed that the pictures are real or announced when the robot will be released.
The company wants Optimus to do factory jobs and other repetitive tasks.
Its hands are designed to move in many different ways.
Elon Musk said an Optimus 3 was already walking but still needed some finishing touches.
Tesla is also preparing factories that could make many robots, although the final plans and schedule remain uncertain.
3D models labelled “gen3” reportedly appeared inside Tesla’s app, though Tesla has not confirmed the leak.
The designs show covered joints, tighter body panels, refined hands, matte-black lower legs and champagne-gold sections.
Tesla has said Optimus hands have 22 degrees of freedom for handling objects and repetitive work.
Elon Musk said on March 31 that Optimus 3 was walking but needed finishing touches; no official reveal date has followed.
Tesla reportedly plans Optimus manufacturing at Fremont and is building a dedicated factory at Giga Texas for a targeted 2027 start.
- Who
- Tesla and Elon Musk are associated with the reported Optimus Gen 3 development.
- What
- Possible official 3D models of Tesla’s next-generation Optimus humanoid robot surfaced in Tesla’s app.
- When
- The models reportedly surfaced recently; Musk discussed Optimus 3 on March 31, while no official reveal date has been announced.
- Where
- The models appeared in Tesla’s app, and reported manufacturing preparations involve Fremont and Giga Texas.
- Why
- The design appears linked to Tesla’s plans for large-scale robot manufacturing and Optimus’s intended use for repetitive, dexterous work.
Evidence of Production Readiness
Uncertainty About the Final Product
Meaning of the leaked models
Evidence of Production Readiness
The refined appearance, app integration and reported factory preparations suggest Tesla is moving Optimus toward large-scale manufacturing.
Uncertainty About the Final Product
The models are only app-based 3D files and do not prove real-world performance or that every detail will appear in a production robot.
Launch expectations
Evidence of Production Readiness
The appearance of finished models and software features suggests Tesla’s Optimus development is advancing beyond placeholder concepts.
Uncertainty About the Final Product
Tesla has not confirmed the leak, missed an earlier reveal target and has announced no official launch date.
- Leaked files
- 3D models reportedly labelled “gen3” were found in Tesla’s app.
- Design changes
- The reported design includes covered joints, tighter body panels, matte-black lower-leg panels and champagne-gold sections.
- Hand movement
- Tesla has said Optimus hands have 22 degrees of freedom.
- Public confirmation
- Tesla has not publicly confirmed the leak or announced a launch date.
- Fremont plans
- Tesla reportedly removed Model S and Model X production lines at Fremont to make room for Optimus manufacturing, with planned capacity of one million robots annually.
- Giga Texas
- A dedicated Optimus factory’s steel frame is reportedly nearing completion, with a targeted 2027 start.
- Long-term ambition
- Elon Musk has pointed to an eventual production goal of 10 million units a year.