Speaking during a profitscall on Wednesday, Teslas co-founder and CEO, Elon Musk, announced that the company is prioritizing the development of its humanoid robot tentatively dubbed Optimus in 2022.

Unveiled originially in August last year, the 5-foot-8-inch, 125-pound machine, that also goes under the name Tesla Bot, is based on the same artificial intelligence technology that is used in Teslas driver-assistance software. Its intended uses would include carrying outdangerous, repetitive, physical tasks insteadof humans.

The project is crucial in Elon Musks eyes that it could have the potential to be more significant than the vehicle business over time. During initial stages, the machine will likely be put to good use at Teslas own plants, moving parts around the factory or something like that, Teslas CEO saidon Wednesday.

A prototype can be expected as soon as this year.

The introduction of this kind of robot could have a majorimpact on the global economy, Musk argued. According to the entrepreneur, machines could eventually eliminate labor shortages.

By F.Aslam