In the year 2040, humanoid robots have become a ubiquitous part of daily life. With an estimated 10 billion robots in use worldwide, they now outnumber humans, handling tasks across sectors from healthcare to manufacturing.
Elon Musk, a key figure behind this vision, outlined this prediction in an interview with futurist Peter Diamandis at the Future Investment Initiative (FIL) Conference in Saudi Arabia, where he explained his outlook for a future where humanoid robots maintain productivity as birth rates decline and the global population ages.
While Musk’s projection of 10 billion robots is ambitious, analysts also forecast substantial growth in the adoption of humanoid robots, albeit at much lower numbers. Morgan Stanley projects about 8 million humanoid robots in the U.S. alone by 2040, focusing on roles that demand high levels of automation, such as healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics.
David Holz, a venture capitalist, estimates there could be around a billion humanoid robots worldwide by 2040, with increased demand driven by labor shortages and advancements in AI technologies. Financial firms like Macquarie foresee the market exceeding $3 trillion in value by 2050, suggesting that humanoid robots will integrate into many areas of society.
Today’s advanced humanoid robots can cost upwards of six figures, making them largely inaccessible to the general population. However, as companies scale production, the goal is to reach price points between $20,000 and $25,000, a range Musk believes is achievable as early as 2026. Tesla’s Optimus robot, expected to enter limited production in 2025, is a major part of this initiative. Musk anticipates that mass production of these robots will contribute to what he calls a “future of abundance,” where goods and services are widely accessible at minimal cost due to low-cost automation.
“I think we will be in a future of abundance,” he said, “Anyone will be able to have any goods and services they want.”
In a world where humanoid robots are priced affordably, Musk envisions robots assisting in various roles from household tasks and office support to healthcare and companionship. The economic impact could be vast, as robotics companies work to make these futuristic companions a reality, paving the way for a technologically enriched society with universal access to advanced services.
Watch the full interview below.