Tesla Expands Optimus Robot Training and Production Operations in Germany

Data Collection at Gigafactory Berlin

Tesla has begun a new phase of development for its Optimus humanoid robot program at the Gigafactory Berlin facility near Grünheide. The goal is to capture the precise ways staff interact with various components and execute factory tasks, providing the necessary data to train the artificial intelligence systems powering the Optimus robots.

This method of motion capture is not entirely new for the company, as similar processes are reportedly already underway at Tesla’s manufacturing sites in the United States. However, the initiative in Germany has raised questions regarding labor relations. Sources indicate that the plan has not been discussed with local labor unions, potentially creating friction given the strictness of German workplace and data privacy regulations.

Expansion of Robotics Infrastructure in Reutlingen

Beyond the training data being gathered in Grünheide, Tesla is aggressively building out its robotics manufacturing capacity in Reutlingen. The company has been actively recruiting specialists for the development and production of essential robotics components, including sensors, gearboxes, and electric motors.

This expansion was bolstered in 2025 when Tesla acquired a significant portion of a facility from the insolvent company Manz, a move noted by Electrive. By combining the data-gathering capabilities of the Berlin plant with the specialized manufacturing infrastructure in Reutlingen, Tesla is positioning its German operations to serve as a hub for both the development and practical deployment of humanoid robotics.

Market Competition and Demographic Drivers

Tesla is not the only entity looking to deploy humanoid robotics across Europe. Rémi Cadene, a former Tesla scientist who worked on the Optimus project, has launched a Paris-based startup called UMA. The company is currently developing the Northstar robot, a lightweight machine designed for use in manufacturing plants, logistics warehouses, and residential settings.

Cadene is already in discussions with 50 potential customers regarding the deployment of his technology. He points to shifting demographic trends as a primary catalyst for the industry’s rapid growth, noting the continent’s aging workforce as a key factor in the push for automation.

For Tesla, the long-term objective remains the integration of Optimus into its own vehicle production lines. While the company has not disclosed specific production numbers for the robots currently being manufactured at its Fremont, California, facility, it maintains that the technology is intended to help scale electric vehicle production without the need for additional human staff, or by allowing existing plants to operate with smaller teams.