In a significant development that bridges the worlds of advanced energy storage and next-generation robotics, South Korean battery giant LG Energy Solution is reportedly in active discussions to supply power units for Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus. Reports emerging from industry sources indicate that the battery manufacturer is positioning itself as a key partner in Tesla’s ambitious robotics endeavors, a move that has already sent ripples through the stock market.
On January 28, shares of LG Energy Solution surged by more than 11% following a report from the Korea Economic Daily. The publication claimed that the company is aggressively pursuing battery supply and joint development agreements with several leading humanoid robot manufacturers. While the list reportedly includes multiple Chinese robotics firms, the spotlight has firmly landed on the potential partnership with Tesla, given the high profile and massive scale of the Optimus program.
This potential collaboration highlights a critical shift in the technology sector, as the demand for high-performance batteries extends beyond electric vehicles (EVs) into the nascent but rapidly evolving field of humanoid robotics. As Tesla CEO Elon Musk continues to champion Optimus as potentially the company’s “most important product,” the race to secure a reliable, high-density energy source has become a pivotal component of the robot’s development roadmap.
The Strategic Push into Robotics
The reported discussions mark a strategic pivot for LG Energy Solution, a company best known for powering a significant portion of the world's electric vehicles. According to the reports, the company is not merely looking to sell off-the-shelf cells but is seeking joint development agreements. This suggests a collaborative engineering approach designed to tailor battery chemistry and packaging specifically for the rigorous demands of bipedal robots.
Market participants have interpreted this outreach as a strong signal that the performance requirements for humanoid robots are distinct enough from EVs to require specialized solutions. While the EV market has seen a trend toward cost-effective chemistries in certain segments, the robotics sector appears to be prioritizing performance metrics that favor LG’s technological strengths.
“LG Energy Solution is actively discussing battery supply and joint development with Tesla and multiple Chinese humanoid robot companies,” noted a summary of the report circulated on social media platforms. “Tesla is a key focus, with LG positioning itself as a primary supplier.”
The immediate reaction in the financial markets underscores the investor confidence in this strategy. The double-digit jump in LG Energy Solution’s share price reflects an anticipation of a new, potentially massive revenue stream that could complement the company's existing automotive business.
The Technical Advantage: NCM vs. LFP
At the heart of these negotiations is the physics of energy density. According to the report, this metric is believed to be the primary driver behind humanoid robot developers evaluating LG Energy Solution’s products over competitors. Understanding the distinction between battery chemistries is crucial to grasping why LG is a frontrunner for the Optimus contract.
Currently, the global battery market is dominated by two main chemistries:
- Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP): Championed by Chinese manufacturers like CATL and BYD, LFP batteries are known for their longevity, safety, and lower cost. However, they typically possess a lower energy density, meaning they store less energy per unit of weight and volume.
- Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese (NCM): This ternary lithium chemistry, which is a specialty of LG Energy Solution, offers significantly higher energy density. It allows for more power storage in a lighter, smaller package.
For electric vehicles, the weight penalty of LFP batteries is often acceptable, especially in entry-level models where cost is the deciding factor. However, the engineering constraints for a humanoid robot like Optimus are far more unforgiving. A robot must carry its own power source while walking, balancing, and performing manual tasks. Every gram of weight adds to the energy consumption of the joint motors, creating a parasitic loop where heavier batteries require more power to move, draining the battery faster.
LG Energy Solution’s nickel-based ternary batteries provide a critical advantage here. They offer the high power output required to drive dozens of actuators simultaneously while maintaining a compact form factor that fits within the robot's torso. This high energy-to-weight ratio is essential for achieving a useful operating runtime—a key metric for making humanoid robots commercially viable in factories and households.
Tesla Optimus: A New Frontier for Battery Tech
Tesla’s Optimus project represents one of the most ambitious undertakings in modern engineering. First announced at Tesla’s AI Day in 2021, the project has evolved rapidly from a concept to a functional prototype, known as
