Tesla is preparing to begin training its humanoid robot, Optimus, at its Austin Gigafactory, according to insiders who spoke with Business Insider. The company informed employees during a recent town hall that it plans to start collecting real-world operational data for Optimus in Texas, with a targeted launch date in February. This marks a significant step forward in Tesla’s efforts to integrate the robot into industrial environments. For over a year, Tesla has been gathering training data from Optimus prototypes at its Fremont, California, factory. There, specialized data collectors—typically kept separate from regular production workers—have recorded themselves performing tasks like organizing vehicle parts and moving items along conveyor belts. These videos are then used to teach Optimus how to replicate human-like movements. Elon Musk, during a recent interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, said Optimus is already capable of handling “simple tasks” in Tesla’s factories, though he did not specify which ones. He projected that by the end of this year, the robot would be able to perform more complex industrial duties, and by the end of next year, Tesla could begin selling humanoid robots to the public. Musk also warned on X (formerly Twitter) that the production of both Optimus and the company’s upcoming Cybercab—also set to be built in Austin—will be “agonizingly slow,” underscoring the challenges ahead. A Tesla spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. Since its debut in 2021, Tesla has periodically shared videos showcasing Optimus’ progress. In 2024, the company released footage of the robot arranging batteries while suspended from an overhead structure at its Palo Alto lab. That same year, Tesla deployed two autonomous Optimus units in one of its manufacturing facilities. The company employs dozens of Optimus trainers, and factory workers—numbering in the thousands—represent a valuable resource for training due to their hands-on experience and sheer numbers. Last year, Tesla shifted from relying primarily on teleoperation (remote control via motion-capture suits) to collecting video data directly from workers. This new approach allows for faster, more scalable data collection without the need for cumbersome suits. Trainers currently wear large helmets with multiple cameras, connected to a heavy backpack. While Tesla has tested a lighter fanny pack setup, it remains unclear whether this will be adopted for factory use. Musk has positioned Optimus as “the biggest product of all time,” envisioning it performing tasks from household chores to factory work and even operating data centers in space. The town hall also covered other developments at the Austin facility, including ongoing upgrades to production lines and continued construction. Over the past year, Tesla has reduced production hours for its Cybertruck line and re-assigned workers to the more popular Model Y line, reflecting weak sales for the electric pickup. Despite the slow rollout, Tesla remains committed to advancing Optimus as a core part of its long-term vision.