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Tesla showcased its third-generation Optimus humanoid robot at AWE 2026 in Shanghai, as the company prepares to convert its Fremont factory lines for robot production and aims to begin public sales by end of 2027.

The Austin startup closes a $520M Series A extension backed by Google, Mercedes-Benz, and John Deere, bringing its war chest to $935M as it races to commercialize Apollo humanoid robots while China commands 90 percent of global shipments.