Elon Musk had a cracking 2024, it must be said – a year when his ventures achieved significant milestones across various sectors, reinforcing his status as a leading innovator. From SpaceX to Tesla, to AI and brain-computer interfaces, Elon Musk’s companies were on the cutting edge of science and technological possibilities like never before.
Let’s take a look back at the top highlights of Elon Musk’s companies in 2024…
SpaceX catches a Super Heavy booster
SpaceX had a monumental year in 2024, marked by significant advancements in both its Starship program and Falcon 9 operations. A key milestone was achieved in March when Starship successfully reached its intended orbital velocity for the first time, demonstrating the potential of this fully reusable super-heavy launch system for deep-space exploration. This progress was further solidified in October with the first successful capture of a Super Heavy booster, showcasing a crucial step towards full reusability.
Beyond Starship, SpaceX continued its dominance in orbital launches with the Falcon 9, achieving an unprecedented 20th reuse of a single booster. The company also made history with the first commercial spacewalk as part of the Polaris Dawn mission, highlighting its growing role in human spaceflight beyond government-led programs. Furthermore, SpaceX significantly expanded its Starlink satellite constellation, completing the first phase of satellites capable of direct-to-cell phone service.
Tesla Optimus 2 humanoid robot
Tesla showcased advancements in its Optimus humanoid robot, designed to perform various tasks and anticipated to cost less than a car. The Tesla Optimus Gen 2 humanoid robot marks a significant advancement in robotics, boasting numerous improvements over its predecessor. Physically, it’s slimmer, lighter, and features redesigned hands with enhanced dexterity and tactile sensing for more delicate object manipulation. These physical enhancements contribute to improved performance, including a 30% faster walking speed and increased balance and stability for more complex movements. Demonstrations have shown Optimus performing tasks ranging from sorting colored blocks to delicately handling an egg, showcasing its improved ability to perceive and interact with its environment.
Also read: AI humanoids in 2024: Top robotics updates from Tesla to NVIDIA
While still under development, Tesla envisions Optimus for a wide range of applications, from performing repetitive tasks in manufacturing and assisting with household chores to undertaking dangerous work unsuitable for humans. The combination of improved physical design and Tesla’s cutting-edge technology positions Optimus as a potentially transformative force across various industries and daily life.
Tesla debuts autonomous vehicles
Tesla introduced the Cybercab (or Robotaxi), a fully autonomous, two-passenger electric vehicle without a steering wheel or pedals, priced under $30,000. Production of this driverless Tesla taxi model is slated to begin by 2026, marking a significant step toward accessible autonomous transportation. Alongside the Cybercab, Elon Musk also unveiled the Robovan, an autonomous vehicle designed to transport up to 20 passengers, showcasing Tesla’s commitment to revolutionising public transportation as well.
Elon Musk launches xAI
Musk continued to advance his interests in artificial intelligence by launching xAI, a company focused on AI development. The company’s stated mission is “to understand the true nature of the universe.” xAI aims to develop advanced AI systems that can be used to solve a wide range of problems, from understanding the universe to combating misinformation. The company is headquartered in Palo Alto, California.
Also read: Elon Musk accuses OpenAI and Microsoft of stifling competition in AI industry
xAI has secured $6 billion in a Series C funding round in December 2024, bringing their valuation to over $40 billion, demonstrating strong market interest in their AI development efforts. Apart from that, xAI also built the world’s largest AI supercomputer, “Colossus,” in just 122 days. This supercomputer boasts 100,000 NVIDIA Hopper GPUs and is designed to handle demanding AI workloads. They plan to double its capacity to 200,000 GPUs, as stated by Elon Musk.
Neuralink announces Blindsight
Neuralink has made significant strides in 2024, primarily focused on advancing their brain-computer interface (BCI) technology in human trials. A major breakthrough was the successful implantation of a Neuralink device in a human patient, marking a crucial step in their clinical research. This was followed by a second successful implant, with the patient demonstrating the ability to control digital devices, including designing 3D objects and playing video games, showcasing the versatility of the technology. Furthermore, Neuralink announced “Blindsight,” a new development aimed at restoring vision in individuals with undamaged visual cortices, and received FDA breakthrough device designation for this project.
Elon Musk net worth crosses $400 billion
In 2024, Musk’s wealth skyrocketed, making him the first person ever in modern times to reach a net worth of more than $400 billion. This surge was attributed to his investments and strategic partnerships, particularly his alignment with Donald Trump, which positioned him for increased power and US government influence in 2025 and the coming years.
Also read: Tesla CEO Elon Musk buys estate worth over Rs 294 crores, hopes to bond with his 11 children
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