In a stunning twist that merges showmanship with financial ambition, Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke is reportedly considering a massive $100,000,000,000 investment in Tesla after being captivated by the jaw-dropping dance performance of the company’s humanoid robot, Optimus. What began as a playful showcase of robotics has now evolved into a viral tech moment that’s stirring serious interest from investors and engineers alike.
Optimus, developed by Elon Musk’s Tesla, has taken social media by storm after exhibiting fluid and shockingly human-like dance moves, sparking conversations that reach far beyond the novelty of a dancing robot. Lütke’s reaction was more than mere admiration—it was an expression of profound belief in the future potential of Tesla’s AI-driven robotics platform, signaling what may become one of the most consequential tech investments of the decade.
The video, posted on Elon Musk’s personal X (formerly Twitter) account, featured the Tesla robot moving with agility and rhythm in a way that stunned engineers, dancers, and tech enthusiasts alike. The clip, captioned “Was just getting warmed up,” showed Optimus executing precise movements, spins, and synchronized gestures that many users admitted outpaced the dance skills of most humans.
The online reaction was electric, with comments flooding in such as, “Optimus already dances better than most humans,” and “Wild… insane progress with huge potential.” But among all the buzz, one reaction stood out. Shopify’s Tobi Lütke, who also serves as a board member at Tesla, reportedly contacted Elon Musk shortly after the post went live and expressed strong interest in dramatically expanding his financial backing of the company’s robotics program.
According to sources close to the matter, Lütke sees Tesla’s robotics division not just as a side experiment, but as the frontier of a new AI industrial revolution. “This isn’t just about dancing,” an insider familiar with the discussions explained.
“It’s about control systems, fluid motion, real-time AI inference, and the capacity to deploy machines into the physical world with human-level precision. Lütke understands that what we just saw is only the beginning.” While no official statement has yet been released by Shopify or Tesla, the $100 billion figure being discussed has already ignited speculation across financial circles, potentially placing Tesla's AI division on a valuation trajectory independent of its automotive roots.
The robot in question—Optimus—has undergone a rapid evolution since its original concept debut at Tesla’s AI Day in 2021, where a human in a robot suit played the part due to the absence of a functional prototype. At that time, skeptics mocked the display as a gimmick.
But in the years since, Tesla has released several improved generations of Optimus, each iteration showing remarkable progress in movement control, environmental interaction, and decision-making.
The latest version, Optimus Gen 2, runs all AI inference onboard in real-time—a feat that robotics experts claim pushes the limits of what humanoid machines can achieve today.
Srihari Sampathkumar, an Indian-origin engineer working within Tesla AI, echoed this sentiment in a recent social media post. “Dancing is a hard problem not just for humans, even for robots. It stresses timing, torque and latency budgets. @Tesla_Optimus nails it like a pro dancer with all of the AI inference running on-board in real-time!”
His technical validation added credibility to the performance, shifting the narrative away from skepticism and toward awe.
The momentum generated by the dance video now places Optimus—and by extension, Tesla’s robotics initiative—at the center of a potential paradigm shift. Historically, humanoid robots have been stuck between science fiction and laboratory novelty, often relegated to research videos or trade show demonstrations.
But Tesla is attempting something bolder: commercializing a robot that can walk, move, manipulate objects, and now, even dance with uncanny coordination.
For Elon Musk, Optimus represents a future where physical labor can be automated on demand, replacing human involvement in repetitive, dangerous, or dull tasks. He’s previously stated that the robot could “babysit your kids, walk your dog, mow your lawn, get the groceries, just be your friend, and serve drinks.”
These declarations, once laughed off as wild ambition, are starting to sound increasingly plausible as Optimus demonstrates more physical capabilities.
Tobi Lütke’s involvement brings strategic weight to the table. As Shopify’s CEO, he commands deep experience in e-commerce infrastructure and digital automation.
His interest in a humanoid workforce signals a growing belief that the future of logistics, warehousing, and fulfillment might not be tied solely to software or drones, but to autonomous bipedal robots capable of navigating and manipulating the physical world.
A $100 billion injection—if realized—would position Tesla as the undisputed leader in consumer-grade robotics, potentially leapfrogging even Boston Dynamics in both public perception and investor confidence.
Financial analysts have responded with a mix of excitement and caution. While Tesla’s stock has recently faced headwinds due to slowing EV demand and rising competition in the automotive sector, the Optimus buzz offers a compelling narrative pivot.
“This is exactly what Tesla needed,” said one Wall Street analyst. “If Musk can show that Tesla is more than just cars—that it’s building the next generation of AI-powered physical automation—then the entire valuation model changes.”
The possibility of Lütke’s investment would also send a signal to institutional capital that Tesla’s robotics division is no longer speculative, but a real commercial prospect worthy of serious financial commitment.
However, not everyone is convinced. Critics argue that dancing, no matter how impressive, is not the same as labor. Many engineers caution that navigating the complexities of unpredictable environments like homes, factories, and public spaces remains a massive challenge.
These robots need more than graceful motion—they need real-world awareness, robust safety protocols, and the capacity for quick, reliable decision-making.
There’s also the question of cost, regulation, and manufacturing scalability, all of which must be solved before Tesla can deliver on the ambitious promises Musk has made.
Still, the power of narrative—and spectacle—cannot be understated. What began as a viral video may now lead to one of the most significant tech deals in modern history. For Tobi Lütke, it’s not just about what the robot can do today, but what it represents for tomorrow: a convergence of AI, autonomy, and embodied intelligence.
His rumored $100 billion investment is not just a show of faith in Elon Musk—it’s a bet on the belief that dancing was just the opening act.
And if Optimus can learn to dance, who’s to say it can’t eventually learn to build, care, serve, and transform industries one step at a time? As the world watches, one thing is certain: Musk’s robot just got a standing ovation from one of the biggest names in tech—and the next move might reshape the future of automation.