Tesla may have offered an early glimpse of Optimus Gen 3. Renders reportedly found in a recent Android version of the Tesla app appeared to show a revised humanoid robot, prompting speculation that they could preview a design intended for volume production.

The files were reported by @WholeMars, who shared images of the app’s 3D models. The original post was subsequently removed, although other accounts had already circulated the images. They were described as graphics assets within the Tesla application, rather than an independently created concept, but that alone did not confirm the final production design.

A different look from Optimus Gen 2.5

Tesla Optimus Gen 3

Compared with earlier representations referred to as Optimus Gen 2.5, the renders showed a cleaner appearance that seemed more consistent with a product being prepared for manufacture.

The hips and legs showed some of the clearest differences. Flexible coverings appeared to conceal more joints and mechanical components. Besides changing the appearance, such coverings might help shield components from dust, although their performance could not be determined from a render. Matte black leg panels replaced the exposed mechanisms and gold-coloured finishes seen in earlier representations, contrasting with champagne-coloured body surfaces.

Hands and arms were another point of interest. The article cited Tesla’s plans for 22 degrees of freedom in the hands, intended to improve dexterity when handling objects and tools designed for people.

Overall, the graphics suggested a more finished industrial appearance. They could not establish the robot’s physical capabilities or readiness for production.

Moving towards production

Beyond the appearance, the report discussed Tesla’s ambition to manufacture Optimus on a large scale and reports of preparations for the necessary facilities.

At Fremont, former Model S and Model X production space was reportedly being adapted for robot manufacturing. The article cited an eventual target of around a million units a year. That figure described an ambition, not an established production rate.

The presence of robot models in the app might also point towards future software for interacting with or monitoring Optimus from a smartphone. The assets did not confirm what controls or services would become available.

When might Tesla officially unveil Gen 3?

At publication, Tesla had not presented the robot in a confirmed final configuration. The article said its unveiling had been delayed for further development, following earlier glimpses and a silhouette.

The report also referred to a Roadster event expected on 1 October and speculated that a separate Optimus presentation might follow in late 2026 or early 2027. These were expectations circulating at the time, not an announced Optimus launch date.

The app renders therefore did not constitute official confirmation of the final design. They were an interesting indication of Tesla’s work towards turning Optimus from a development programme into a manufactured product.

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Giorgio Rebecchi

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Giorgio Rebecchi
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