Humanoid Robots: Figure, Optimus, Unitree, 1X, Agility — 2026-10-31
Tesla has officially commenced pilot production of its Optimus humanoid robots at the Fremont factory, targeting a massive scaling roadmap of 20,000 units per week by 2027. Meanwhile, Chinese market leader Unitree faces significant valuation volatility as its stock surges despite company warnings about early commercialization stages, while FANUC unveils new AI-driven robotic capabilities in Japan.
Humanoid Robots: Figure, Optimus, Unitree, 1X, Agility — 2026-10-31
Top developments
Tesla Optimus Production Begins with Aggressive Scaling Targets
Tesla has initiated early pilot production of its Optimus bipedal humanoid robot at its Fremont, California manufacturing complex, marking a shift from R&D to manufacturing. The company’s third-quarter 2026 shareholder update confirms the start of this "early production ramp," with CEO Elon Musk stating that the goal is to reach 20,000 humanoid units per week by 2027.
Early customers are expected to use these robots for industrial applications, such as dangerous or repetitive tasks, with outside deliveries slated for the end of 2027. Industry experts note that while the line is sized for 1 million robots a year, achieving the 20,000/week rate will take at least a year of ramping.
Unitree Stock Surges Amid Valuation Warnings
Unitree Robotics, the world’s largest humanoid robot manufacturer by volume, saw its Shanghai-listed stock rise over 70% from its October 15 low, pushing its market cap back to approximately 270 billion yuan (~$38 billion). Despite the rally, the company issued an urgent risk warning on October 26, stating that the humanoid robot industry is still in the early stages of commercialization.
As of October 26, Unitree’s rolling P/E ratio stood at 465.22, significantly higher than the 38.54 average for the general equipment manufacturing industry. Investors are urged to consider the risk of valuation regression if commercialization falls short of expectations.
FANUC Unveils "Physical AI" CNC System
Japanese industrial giant FANUC demonstrated a new "Physical AI CNC" system at JIMTOF 2026, which uses generative AI to autonomously support troubleshooting and processing adjustments. The system addresses safety concerns by requiring human approval for certain actions and utilizing digital twins for pre-simulation to prevent AI malfunctions.
This development highlights the push in Japan to integrate AI into traditional manufacturing hardware, moving beyond simple automation to self-correcting systems.
Tesla Opens Optimus Reservations
According to industry experts, Tesla is set to open reservations for the Optimus robot later this year. This move signals a transition from internal testing and pilot production to potential consumer or enterprise pre-orders, although mass market availability remains tied to the 2027 delivery timeline.
Local view
In China, financial media are closely scrutinizing the profitability of humanoid robot companies. UBTech reported H1 2026 revenue of 1.269 billion yuan, surpassing Unitree’s 1.152 billion yuan for the same period, but still recorded a net loss of 310 million yuan after deducting non-recurring items. This highlights the sector's ongoing struggle to cross the profitability threshold despite high sales volumes.
In Japan, Nikkei and ITmedia are focusing on how legacy manufacturers like FANUC and Kawasaki Heavy Industries are pivoting to "Physical AI." Kawasaki’s new management plan sets a 550 billion yen investment target for 2027–2030 to transform into a robotics company, aiming for over 3.3 trillion yen in sales by fiscal 2030.
Context & numbers
- Tesla Production Capacity: The Fremont line is designed for a capacity of 1 million robots per year, with a near-term target of 20,000 units per week.
- Unitree Valuation: Unitree’s market cap hovered around 270 billion yuan (~$38 billion) as of late October, with a P/E ratio of 465.22.
- UBTech Financials: UBTech reported H1 2026 revenue of 1.269 billion yuan, a 104.2% year-over-year increase, but remains unprofitable with a net loss of 310 million yuan.
- Kawasaki Investment: Kawasaki Heavy Industries plans to invest approximately 550 billion yen in growth areas, including robotics, between 2027 and 2030.
On the radar
- Tesla Reservations: Watch for the official opening of Tesla Optimus reservations, expected later in 2026.
- 1X NEO Deliveries: 1X has promised the first NEO consumer deliveries by the end of 2026, a key milestone for the US consumer humanoid market.
- Unitree Valuation Correction: Analysts are monitoring whether Unitree’s high P/E ratio will correct as the company faces the reality of scaling commercial orders.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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