Tesla cuts AI5 memory to 72GB and AI6 to 144GB for Optimus

  • Elon Musk said Tesla cut memory on AI5 and AI6 chips for Optimus production.
  • AI5 now has 72GB and AI6 has 144GB after reductions from earlier specifications.
  • Tesla reportedly ordered components for about 5,000 Optimus units and targets 1 million annually.

Tesla is reducing memory allocations for its next-generation AI5 and AI6 chips as it prioritizes production scale and lower costs for the Optimus humanoid robot. Elon Musk said on October 1, 2026, that AI5 will use 72GB of LP5 memory, half the previously specified amount, while AI6 will use 144GB after a one-third reduction. Musk said the changes should have a negligible effect on Optimus performance because memory bandwidth is more important than total capacity. The reductions come as Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra says humanoid robots could require more than 200GB of memory and multiple terabytes of storage each. Tesla has reportedly ordered components for about 5,000 Optimus units and aims eventually to produce 1 million robots annually. AI5 completed tape-out in April 2026 and is planned for high-volume production in 2027, while AI6 is expected to deliver about twice AI5’s performance. Tesla shares closed 0.2% lower at $354.11 on Thursday and rose 0.22% to $355.60 in extended trading.

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