In recent comments during an interview with Munro Live, Tesla’s vehicle engineering vice president Lars Moravy and the Cybercab project lead Eric Earley stated that Tesla plans to use Optimus humanoid robots to plug in and unplug charging connectors for its robotaxis, while continuing to develop a more advanced wireless charging system. Currently, Tesla relies on its staff to manually charge its self-driving Robotaxis. If the vehicle is not parked in a position close enough to the charging station, staff will move it to the right position. In this plan, Optimus robots play a transitional role. Tesla stated that as new infrastructure is built, the company is developing more advanced charging methods, and Cybercab was designed from the start to support such technologies. Earlier this year, Tesla received FCC approval for its Cybercab wireless charging solution. The company also plans to build a Robotaxis charging hub in Austin with 80 wireless charging stations, which, once operational, will no longer need a human or an Optimus robot to plug anything in. However, achieving this goal may be challenging in the short term. Optimus’s early production and initial deliveries to enterprise customers are scheduled for 2027. Even if Optimus begins working at robotaxi charging stations before then, based on current progress, it is unlikely that Cybercab’s wireless charging technology will be operational by next year. Tesla may need even more time to reach the maturity and reliability required for actual operation. Moravy also noted that Optimus might provide maintenance services to vehicles, or even enter the delivery sector. He painted a broader picture, suggesting that the combination of Cybercab, Optimus, and Robovan would be “incredible,” and that a long-haul transport solution like Tesla Semi could be added to this trio. (Text by Autohome, Yao Yu)