Musk predicts the robot could cost $20,000 within three to five years if all goes according to plan. But the question is, what can it do for us.  But before we get into that, lets look at the main devices that drive the Tesla Bot.

Tesla Bot Actuators

The Actuators are the main drive system for any Robot. You could say a robot is nothing more than a PC with moving parts, or in other words, a Robot is a PC with Actuators and sensors. Tesla has developed its own Actuators for the Bot, it uses 3 types of rotary actuators and 3 types of Linear Actuators. 

If you are wondering why Tesla didn't use standardized Linear Actuators like the FIRGELLI actuator, its because they have several constraints that means they have to develop their own systems to get the Robots to be ultimately lightweight, power efficient, high power density and low cost. Tesla have claimed they want to get the Bot to retail for $20,000 each. This in itself is a tall order for something that's gong to require 23 Actuators, and powerful PC, lots of sensors and a battery pack to make it last more than a few hours, plus a strong skeleton to hold it all together. 

Tesla Bot Linear Actuators

The Linear Actuators Tesla developed are highly specific for a specific role, this means they would not really be of much use for any other application other than a Robot. Their Actuators employ a planetary Roller system and Tesla calls it, but this is basically code for Ballscrew leadscrew design, and instead of a traditional magnetic armature coil in the middle of the motor they decided to use a brushless core motor design. This means the Ball leadscrew design is very efficient and uses less power, but also more expensive. And they use a Brushless power system which means the live span will be significantly faster and allows highly specific drive modes controlled by the software.