Elon Musk Seeks Strong Influence Over Tesla's Optimus Robot Army

During Tesla's recent earnings call, CEO Elon Musk made a striking connection between his proposed $1 trillion compensation package and the company's ambitious Optimus humanoid robot project. The world's richest man expressed significant concerns about maintaining influence over what he described as Tesla's future "robot army," raising questions about corporate control in the age of advanced robotics.

The Compensation Package and Control Concerns

Musk's comments came as Tesla shareholders prepare to vote on a remarkable compensation proposal that would pay the CEO up to $1 trillion over the next decade. The deal, as reported by Wired, would increase Musk's stake in Tesla from 13 percent to 25 percent, but only if he hits a series of ambitious targets. These include delivering 20 million vehicles, operating 1 million robotaxis, achieving an $8.5 trillion valuation, and crucially, delivering 1 million Optimus humanoid robots.

Musk's Robot Army Concerns

On the investor call, Musk made his position clear regarding control over Tesla's robotic future. "My fundamental concern with regard to how much voting control I have at Tesla is, if I go ahead and build this enormous robot army, can I just be ousted at some point in the future?" he stated. The CEO emphasized that he doesn't "feel comfortable building that robot army unless I have a strong influence."

The Optimus Vision and Challenges

While Musk often portrays Optimus as a force for positive change—promising to eliminate poverty and provide universal access to quality medical care—the technical challenges remain significant. During the call, Musk acknowledged difficulties in developing humanoid hands and forearms, confirming earlier reports about engineering hurdles. Despite internal goals to produce 5,000 Optimus units this year, production plans have reportedly been scaled back, with Musk now targeting a "production-intent prototype" by February or March and full-scale production by the end of 2025.

The intersection of executive compensation, corporate control, and advanced robotics development at Tesla represents a fascinating case study in modern corporate governance. As Musk seeks both financial reward and operational influence over what he calls an "infinite money glitch," the outcome of November's shareholder vote could significantly shape the future trajectory of both Tesla and the broader robotics industry.