Elon Musk promises Optimus and Cybercab advancements in Texas

Tesla CEO Elon Musk held a surprise meeting with employees on Thursday night in Texas. The meeting aimed to boost morale amid a drop in the company’s public reputation. Since December, Tesla's stock has fallen by 50%. Musk encouraged staff to "hang on to your stock" despite the decline. During the livestreamed event, Musk promised significant advancements for two projects: the Cybercab robotaxi and the Optimus humanoid robot. He stated that Tesla's Full Self-Driving technology would help elevate the company's value. Musk claimed they could produce about 5,000 Optimus robots this year, and he expects to ramp up production next year. On the Cybercab, Musk mentioned an innovative manufacturing process that could build a robotaxi in under five seconds. This new method resembles a high-speed assembly line used for consumer electronics. Musk revealed that the Cybercab could be available for purchase at $30,000 by 2026. Typically, these all-hands meetings occur during the day. However, Musk chose the evening amid rising protests and concerns from analysts. Some analysts have questioned Musk's focus, noting his involvement in various political activities. Musk acknowledged having many responsibilities, mentioning his roles in companies like SpaceX and Neuralink. During the Q&A session, employees did not address Musk's political activities or his support for the Trump administration. Instead, he focused on his commitment to reducing government waste through his work in the Department of Government Efficiency.