Auto robotics = hardware with some software to do predictable auto production tasks
There is as blurry line where the Tesla Optimus bot has cameras for vision combined with some ability to be trained via video.
When Elon visited Berlin recently he announced some wage increases.
Tesla wages and conditions need to be a better deal to remove the incentive for workers to unionise.
It seems very likely the Optimus Bot will be use for some steps in the Gen3 car production process. Production line steps will be designed for humans with the hope that the Bot can eventually take over some of those tasks.
I think the existing workforce will be upskilled slowly to more interesting jobs.
They will need to hire a large amount of workers in Mexico, but I can see bots being slowly phased in in all factories. not replacing workers but replacing the need to hire more workers. In the long run some workers who leave might not be replaced.
This is be a gradual adaption rather than a phase change, the increased automation is an attempt to lower costs.
If a union would oppose the use of bots, or might oppose the use of bots, that probably impacts on Tesla's workforce strategy. It is better to pay the workforce more if they want to keep the option to use bots open.
My personal feeling is that this is inevitable and if Tesla doesn't build and deploy these bots, others will.
Lowering the cost of labour, has synergies with lowering the cost of energy, transport and food. When Tesla lowers costs they can achieve the mission faster.
One big problem is how will everyone pay for everything?
We need something like a UBI or at least broadening the definition of work to include creative work, community work, caring for a relative or friend.
Historically whenever work has been automated, new jobs have emerged, with a aging population and perhaps a declining population, there may be sufficient jobs for everyone..
If we need to broaden the definition of work, then we also need to broaden the tax base...
My vote is for accelerating the transition and avoiding the worst aspects of Climate Change, after that we may need to fine tune the social systems and the division of wealth.
Making energy, transport and food more abundant, and more distributed, will tend to dilute the concertation of wealth and power, When there is enough for everyone, there may be less greed.
